Question on viability of Maroon clowns in 120g mixed reef.

[GroktheCube]

Hello all, I've had my 120 up and running for about 6 weeks now, and I'm working on putting together a stock list. Maroons, particularly gold stripe, are my favorite looking clowns. The neon blue edge of the stripe contrasting with the body color is beautiful to me. However, I'm concerned about their reputation for aggression, as I am not planning on them being the only fish in the tank.

I'll also have a couple of small fairy/flasher wrasses, a goby or blenny (or two), a firefish, a dottyback, and either a Kole or White Tail bristletooth Tang (depending on availability). I'm concerned that a pair of Maroon clowns would completely take over at least half the tank, and make it tough for some of these other fish to thrive.

Is that a legitimate concern? Would I be better off looking at smaller, less aggressive species like ocellaris or perculla?

 

[flooddc]

unless you plan to have other types of clownfish, I wouldn't concern.

 

[jmadison]

Add them last if you want to have a pair. Also be prepared to have issues between the two of them(assuming they aren't already a bonded pair). They general aren't to big of roamers. They will certainly own their respective 1 cubic foot of the watercolumn though. Be prepared for SERIOUS aggression if they ever decide to spawn.

 

[Anemone]

unless you plan to have other types of clownfish, I wouldn't concern.

This. My maroons have never had a problem with anything other than clowns.

Kevin

 

[GroktheCube]

I'm glad to hear that, thanks for the feedback. I've always heard that they were "extremely" aggressive, but that was rarely quantified in terms of how much territory they will completely dominate. I don't think allowing the clowns a cubic foot or two to themselves would be a serious stressor on the other fish, given all the fish I'm planning on will be rather small and easygoing other than the tang, who I think will probably be able to fend for himself and not succumb to a little bullying over a small part of the tank. I was concerned that they'd end up owning more than half the tank and/or chasing the other fish in circles around the tank if they looked at them the wrong way.

No matter which species of clown, I was planning on adding them last after the tang. That's always what I've done with putting "extremely" aggressive FW fish in more community-type tanks.

I've kept quite a few species of FW Cichlids, so I'm familiar with extreme spawning aggression. If I'm lucky enough to have them decide to settle down and become parents, I don't really mind giving them their own tank. I'm sure I can find room to set up a 40B or 45 cube if SHTF.

 

[Quickcord]

The 120g should be plenty of room for the maroons. I bought a bonded pair as my first saltwater fish in a 40 bdr. Tank mates included a bi-color angel, six line wrasse, and 2 chromis and I never witnessed any aggression from the maroons. The female grew to about 5 inches long and never made an attempt to nip at my hand while cleaning the tank. I have heard this is the exception and not the rule.

Quickcord