Replacing a clown

[Ab129]

So I have had a pair of black and white clowns that I purchased together 5 years ago. The larger one just passed away unfortunately and I need advice on a replacement.
Do I need to get another black and white or can I get an orange and white?
And do I need to get one that is smaller or bigger than the remaining (male) that I have?
Or should I just leave him alone and not get a replacement?
Ultimately I want to do whatever will make him happy?

 

[griss]

What species of clown is this?

 

[Uncle99]

So I have had a pair of black and white clowns that I purchased together 5 years ago. The larger one just passed away unfortunately and I need advice on a replacement.
Do I need to get another black and white or can I get an orange and white?
And do I need to get one that is smaller or bigger than the remaining (male) that I have?
Or should I just leave him alone and not get a replacement?
Ultimately I want to do whatever will make him happy?

A replacement is not a must. They are fine as singles.

If you want to try and pair, the most success will always be same species, same colour, same pattern. From this starting point, differences can lower the chance of pairing, but same species and different colour does work, that’s how we get the variations. I have no knowledge of inter-species success.

In regards to size, regardless of which gender died, it is best to introduce a sexually immature male. That will be about 1/2” to 3/4” max. This ensures we have a juvenile.

Do what makes you happy, if you kept them that long, your obviously making their life good.

 

[Ab129]

Thanks for the replies!
If I have no intention of breeding would it be ok to get a different color/species as long as the new addition is a small immature male?

 

[griss]

How large is the tank and what species of clown do you currently have? Some species of clowns are more tolerant of others and some are not.

 

[Ab129]

My clown looks just like the ones in Uncle99’s photo above. Tried posting my own pic but it wasn’t uploading

 

[Ab129]

And it’s a 75 gal tank

 

[Uncle99]

And it’s a 75 gal tank

You can do a juvenile different colour but theirs no guarantee of acceptance. Sometimes yes, sometimes not. I have noticed that I get better results in pairing with same everything except size, I only use 1/2”-3/4”, that’s a must.

That being said, theirs no guarantee any combination including same colour same pattern will work, but the latter IME has higher success rates.

So it’s about degree of risk. Totally different in terms of species would be the most risky IMM as it’s the farthest some the same.

If they don’t like each other, then in time, one will die.

It would be rare (but possible ) that both share the tank, say one takes left, one takes right. Sometimes in big tanks that works.

 

[Uncle99]

My clown looks just like the ones in Uncle99’s photo above. Tried posting my own pic but it wasn’t uploading

Then simple black Oscellaris, very common. I only keep Osc or Percs.
I might go for an orange Oscellaris of 1/2”-3/4”, but I can’t recommend different species.

 

[griss]

So,

Then simple black Oscellaris, very common. I only keep Osc or Percs.
I might go for an orange Oscellaris of 1/2”-3/4”, but I can’t recommend different species.

completely agree.

 

[Ab129]

Thank you both for your advice.
I think what I plan to do is wait a little while and see how my line clown is behaving. If he seems fine and is acting completely normal then maybe I will just leave him alone since that seems to be the least risky. If he seems despondent (like I would know what a despondent fish looks like!) then I will consider a replacement of the same species and color.

 

[Uncle99]

It’s ok to experiment, that’s how the hobby moves forward.
But it can come with great success, and sometimes failure, so, we want to be upfront.

Your clown is just fine on its own.

Good luck.