RBTA and Maroon Clown problem

[enzo0000]

My problem.....I currently have 3 RBTA's and 1 maroon clown (2 1/2" - 3") that hosts 2 of the RBTA's (other is hosted by anemone crab). my clown is mean as heck...I cant even put my hand in the tank without him attacking it. I've lost every fish (Dragon Goby, Staryeyed blenny, Purple dottyback, 6 line etc...)that I've put in there except a cardinal (which stays hidden). Once a fish is in the tank, the clown will non-stop chase or peck at the fish. My current tank is a 50 RR.


First and foremost, the maroon clown is gonna be gone (to a safe place), I'm in the process of setting up a 180 RR and that's when I'll donate him. It sucks, because he's a beautiful clown, but I want more than 2 fish in a 180.

My question.....I understand that not all clowns host anenomes, what is my best bet on getting a pair of clowns on hosting them. I'm staying away from maroon clowns. I been looking at ocellaris clowns...watch species would be best in your opinion? Is there a big difference between false and true, besides markings? I'd like to get a mated pair if possible.

For the record, my tank is a SPS/LPS tank within all water parameters. I've even re-aquascaped my tank when I moved.

Thx for the help
Vincenzo

There he/she is guarding the realm......

 

[smtank]

Try to match the clown fish type with the clowns natural host anemone. There are a couple decent compatibility charts available if you google them.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i1/Clown_anemone/Clown_anemone.htm

A lone clown will become a female. Maroons being one of the more aggressive clowns in my experience, in fact I experienced the same situation. My mature female would not accept juvenile clowns or any other fish types. She killed everything that was introduced to the tank including shrimp and hermits.

Good Luck

 

[mnchartier]

I recommend getting clarkii for clowns, they are pretty much a natural pair for most of the hosting anemone that we get in the hobby. They can be a little aggressive but not like a maroon.

 

[enzo0000]

I did look into the clarkii, just don't want to go through the same thing that im going through with the maroon. I'm thinking about 2 black perc's, hopefully one day they'll find themselves in one of my RBTA's.

 

[Jeff000]

My semi snows like my RBTA, well did, I have three and they have pummeled it into a fraction of what it was.

 

[garygb]

Percs natural hosts of gigantea and magnifica tend to be difficult to keep. Often they wind up going in BTAs too, but it's not a certainty as it would be with a gig or mag. As mentioned before, clarkii are the most non-discriminating species of clownfish, and can be found naturally in each of the host species. But, like you said, it may be the same song second verse, as clarkii are rather aggressive clowns, too. Certainly not as aggressive as most maroons, but not as peaceful as percs or ocellaris.