Not sure what to do.......

[RBU1]

I am looking for some factual opinions here please. I currently have a large 4" Gold Stripe Maroon in my 300 gallon tank. She is hosting in a large GBTA. I have the oppurtunity to get a large 4-5" pair of black Ocellaris along with a 1" Gold Stripe Maroon. I have been getting some mixed opionions on this and would like to get some more from people who have expirience. A good friend of mine added a White Stripe maroon to his already larger White Stripe maroon with no problems. So he is telling me to do it. I have another good friend that is telling me in his past expierience any clown he added to his tank after one was already established was killed. I would hate to kill a real nice pair of Black Ocellaris clowns but I am thinking I will get different opinions on this matter. I also have an RBTA in the 4-5" range located on the opposite end of the tank from the GBTA. So I was hoping the Black Ocellaris would stay at the one end and the GSM's would stay at the other. OK please let me have some thoughts PLEASE.......Keep in mind I will be adding 3 clowns at the same time...A pair of Large Black Ocellaris and a small 1" GSM. BILL

 

[OrionN]

1. Ocellaris does not get to 5 inches. I think you are talking about a black and white Saddleback pair.
2. The chance of successful adding any clown add to a tank with 4" Maroon is slim. You will have to be careful adding another maroon clown but I would not add another species of clown even in a 300 g tank.
You are right in that you will have different opinion in this. If you decide to add them, be ready to remove them if need. This will be a pain in a 300 g tank.

 

[RBU1]

Actually I was told they are an Black and White Ocellaris pair. And they are in the 4-5 inch range.

Have you had any expiriences with adding clowns?

 

[kimsie]

Well - I do have experience in adding clowns...

I had a pair of black ocellaris (still young - but paired 2 inches) and a pair of orange ocellaris (same ageish - but paired) in separate tanks. I really wanted to have both pairs in one tank. Now - my tank was MUCH smaller than yours - but just to post my experience - after 1 hour they were fighting very aggressively and had to remove one of the pairs due to seriously torn fins and aggression.

Now - that being said - ocellaris are supposed to be one of the more peaceful of clown species - with GSM's being one of the most aggressive...

If it were me - I probably wouldn't attempt it just with my history. I actually own a pair of GSM's and the other 2 pair - but they're all in separate tanks!

That said - If you do decide to try it...

Research introducing small GSM's to a large female... It's best to place the male in a strawberry basket or something small inside te tank that he can get into and escape the large female... (Make sure you place him in the tank IN this escape spot so he knows where it is!) Then watch! Your large GSM could very well try to kill the young fish - or if he submits right away things could go well.

If you really want the Black Ocellaris pair as well - have you thought of using some kind of tank divider? Possibly to keep the 2 pair separate? If you decide to try it - just be very sure that you will be able to remove some one fast...

 

[RBU1]

Thanks for the responses. A tank divider is really not feasable for me. I am just confused because another person I met has several different clowns in the same tank all introduced at different times. I guess adding different clowns is like playing Russian Roulette. I really don't want to get rid of the GSM he is an awesome looking fish and eats out of my hand. Maybe I will flip a coin and see what happens???????

 

[kimsie]

Some people have success with things other don't... Everyone told me not to try it - I like you had heard of people having it work... so I tried it!

That's why I told you what I'd do if it were me and I decided to try it.

Seriously - if you're going to try it - just be sure that you're ready and really able to remove some of them if necessary...

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

it's a tough call. I recently (about a month or two) added the smaller GSM to my 55 with my 2-1/2" B&W. The occ barked and bit a little in the first 10 min or so, but calmed down shortly after.
They haven't fought since, but usually hang out away from each other. Once in while, the GSM goes over, but not for too long. (they both have a nem, I didn't want em fighting over 1)

The thought has crossed my mind "which one would I keep if they start fighting?"

I honestly don't know. Had the B&W for almost two years, but like you said, the GSM is such an awesome fish!

I say try it, net in hand. They WILL get into it at first, the question is will they calm down.

 

[lilalove]

Introducing clowns, and introducing PAIRED clowns are two totally different monsters. The paired clowns will be much nastier than unpaired. GSM are nasty either way. Perhaps in a 300g you'd get away with it, but like Kimsie said, be prepared to remove them if necessary. I have a mated pair of black ocellaris, they are nowhere near 5 inches, but they are mean, mean, mean. And they're supposed to be the docile ones! They quickly killed any other damselfish I added, chromis and yellow tailed damsels. I can't even imagine what they'd do to another clownfish species.