Mixing varieties of Ocellaris clowns

[mandarin417]

I have really liked some of the tanks that have larger groups of clowns. Has anyone put together a harem tank with different varieties of Ocellaris in the same tank with success? Maybe a few Naked, Midnight, Black and original together? I think that would make an interesting pallet.

thanks,

Bob

 

[daveM100]

I know there is at least 1 "harem" on here. And I also know the group has dwindled a bit but last I read there was still a few clowns together, not sure if they were all Ocellaris. IMO it's the real estate you have to worry about, more space for more territory. More houses (nems) throughout a large tank would probably help a lot.

 

[addictedreefer]

Here we go again. Others will have their views, but I think it is downright selfish and irresponsible to attempt a "harem." May go fine for a while, but once individuals begin reaching maturity, the weak get picked off one by one and numbers slowly but surely decline. If you look at the evidence, even the purported "success" stories are not to the contrary. To those in favor, I would like to see hard evidence of a harem that remains 90% intact or better at least 18 months post introduction.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Yes there is one harem here I think called 27 clowns or what ever it is but it's all one hatch of the same clutch of eggs. So they've been together since the day they were laid

 

[daveM100]

Not condoning it. But if someones going to do it no matter what might as well give them the best advice you can. And mine is go large IMO.

 

[mandarin417]

Thanks for the information. I really shouldn't have used the term harem because I was not trying to replicate what BRS has done. I was looking at up to 4 pairs in a 120 gallon, 2 each of the ones mentioned in my first post. So other than a very large take with nems spread throughout, no one is putting more than a pair of clowns in a tank together?

 

[ThRoewer]

The risk is always that two pair up and start killing of the rest, especially if they all of similar size. This is even more likely if there are anemones in the tank.

I had some success keeping an adult pair of ocellaris with a juvenile.
It's the one thing I want to try again, not a harem but an adult pair with a bunch smaller ones of the same species in one anemone. That's how you often find them in the wild.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I would think doing what you just explained you could have aggression problems. Just be prepared to remove the worst offenders as a pair.

 

[ThRoewer]

I plan to add babies I raise myself. And I plan to add them when they are 2 to 3 weeks old. That's how it goes in the wild.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I plan to add babies I raise myself. And I plan to add them when they are 2 to 3 weeks old. That's how it goes in the wild.

This would make a great thread :thumbsup:

 

[ThRoewer]

Well, it will be some time. First I need to get my pairs to grow and then spawn.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Looking forward to it :thumbsup: