Pairing GSM Clown

[stobry]

I have a gsm misbar that I have had for years. She is big, fat, very dark and very teritorial of the area around her nem. I will be doing a tank upgrade shortly and would like to pair her with a small bright red male gsm. Do you think this is doable? How much risk is there for the new smaller clown? I'd hate to be sending him to his doom. In my current tank I wouldn't attempt it because I doubt it would go well, but during the upgrade makes me think it may work. What do you think?

 

[Gold Stripe]

I paired my 8 year old GSM with a new friend when I downgraded and it worked out fine. They have been together 4 years now. They dont spawn but they sleep together in their LTA and hang out together all day. She occasionally wanders around the tank but he stays pretty close to home.

When I introduced them he swam straight at her and grabbed hold of a fin. She pretty much swatted him one good time and grabbed his fin and he immediately backed off and started doing the shake. They have been fine ever since then. Many will tell you that it is near impossible but mine worked out just fine this time. Lucky I guess.

I paired another set of maroons a couple years ago for a friend and it was a little more difficult but still only took a couple days. He would hide where she couldnt get to him and then shoot out and shake every few hours. After about 4 days she ignored him and then they sarted hanging out.

 

[mr.iacuessa]

what size tank do you have and what are you upgrading to?

 

[stobry]

Thanks for the advice! Do you think that the upgrade in size of the tank will help my chances?

 

[mr.iacuessa]

you never stated what you were upgrading to and from what you were upgrading from...

 

[stobry]

Going from 65 to 125, so twice the length. I'm hoping the size will allow for good separation if she gets nasty in the begining. She is mean; charges fish completely unprovoked. Shes also not the biggest fan of my hand either!

 

[mr.iacuessa]

depending on how many fish you have in there, your current setup might be big enough..upgrading is always fun though, i just upped my main tank from a 75 to a 125 and i love it, im sure your maroon will too... what i would do is buy the new guy the day you switch it over and add him before you add her, that should minimize her aggressive nature at the start and he should be fine

 

[stobry]

Thats kinda what I was thinking, or atleast hoping, would happen. If I can add him before switching her over hopefully his head start will give him an easier time of it. I really hope it works because I wont be able to do much to help him if it goes badly.

 

[mr.iacuessa]

you could also try keeping him in a breeder net for a couple days and just wait till her aggression calms down