Multiple clowns?

jelwyoming

jelwyoming

JELWYOMING
Do any of you successfully keep more than 2 of any species of clownfish in a 100-150g community reef tank? If so, what kind and how many? I have read that it is only advisable to keep 2 of any single type in any tank. Then again, you can read in other places that if they are introduced together, that several different types will coexist in a larger tank. Does that work?
 
Usually mixing clowns results in short term success at best in a tank that size.
Usually as they mature, they become more territorial/aggro.
 
Chaffey and Sebae,
How long have each of you had those in your tanks? How far apart are they in the tank (their anemones)? Did you add them at the same time? How old were they when you added them? Are any of them mated pairs?
 
I got a leuko and tricintus hosting the same rbta. While they have not been together for long I believe the relationship will last due to different in size of the two clowns. The tricinctus is double the size of the cap and they probably could be paired up.
 
isseym328
That is pretty neat that you have two species hittiing it off! I hope that continues to work!
SierraFish,
I am thinking that I may go with the same 4-5 Ocellaris. How many anemones, if any do you have for them. Has one become the dominate female yet?
 
Perhaps some of you can write in your successes, but the big failures at trying to mix or have mulitples in a tank would be appreciated to. In fact, I would like to hear about what would be the worst combination along with the best possible situation for a pair of clowns.
As I said earlier, I have a 120g reef with two empty BTA's that I am trying to decide what to host. I previously had a pair of ocellars with a single BTA. A new fish brought in brook and that was the end of my clowns. That has been cleared and I am ready to try again...but what?
 
Personally, I think the best case scenario for a pair of clowns would be just that. One female, one male, and free run of both of those anemones. What would make a pair of clowns happier than that??? :)
 
My only concern there is that perhaps they would split up and each host in one of the BTA's, and the male turn to female. Has anyone seen that happen before?
 
I agree w/ what slakker said.
Especially since sometimes the female doesn't share her nem.
Try not to be swayed by the people who say what you want to hear.
I did the same thing years ago w/ a maroon and a pair of occs, and thought it was successful, until the day the maroon matured and I came home to 2 dead occs and a badly scarred maroon.
More than one pair can work in a huge aquarium w/ enough seperation, or sometimes w/ a group of maybe some tank bred occs from the same clutch.
Other than that you're pushing it IMO
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9698426#post9698426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jelwyoming
My only concern there is that perhaps they would split up and each host in one of the BTA's, and the male turn to female. Has anyone seen that happen before?
Click to expand...
no i doubt this will happen
 
Pushing what?
My goal is to learn as much as I can about the realities of keeping clowns, the good, the bad and the ugly. I would like to learn from others mistakes so that I don't make an uneducated mistake, or pass up on an opportunity that comes from being too conservative. I have been on both sides. I also hope that others can see the post and learn from other's experiences as well. No bias intended.
 
With this situation, what species of clownfish would you recommend? Most of my tank's inhabitants are pretty mild mannered. The yellow tang is about the most aggressive, followed by the flame angel. My copperband is probably the most docile.
 
If you are going to keep more than 1 pair in your tank keep them in even numbers,2 ,4, 6 ect fish. This gives them a chance to pair off, you dont want a "third wheel" in yout tank.
 
i agree the best thing to do would be a small group of juveniles all the same kind eith true perc or ocellaris and then hope that the group 5to 7 clowns stays a group. i doubt that will happen.

heres the problem jelwyoming i dont see any way that more than one or maybe 2 mature pairs of clownfish could exist in a tank that size,

the groups i have seen maintained have done well with lots of anemones more than the amount of clowns
 
The reason that I started thinking about the group was, reading through "Clownfish", by Joyce D. Wilkerson, she claims that she and others have successfully kept groups of Ocellaris in a single tank. One set of the clowns evently matured into a mated pair, the others stayed as unmature "males in waiting". She undoubtly has a fair amount of experience in the field. I think that this is just what you are suggesting, GSMguy and GreenPuffers?
 
Sorry, posted on the wrong page first.

I had success with a pair of ocellaris and a pair of allardi clowns in a 103g tank. 48 x 30 x 18 tall. The tank was setup to have a point in the middle with the rocks to have two tank sides. It was by no means blocked off though, the clowns could go where they pleased.
David
 
By pushing it I mean you're gambling a bit.
Fish, like people, have personalities, and there are exceptions.
I believe it's Zenia that has a massive amount of RBTA's that host several clowns of the same species much like you mentioned of Wilkerson.
I think skunks are colored and shaped different enough that they may get along w/ other passive clowns if housed properly.
It's all about space/territory and personalities, but generally speaking it is best/safest to go for one nice pair.
I personally am done experimenting, and go w/ the conservative approach.
I don't want to be responsible for or stuck w/ a battle scarred clown.
 
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