Should I get a second clown fish?

[tonypal85]

I used to have two beautiful true perculas. One was much larger than the other. They would always hang out and swim together. One day i came home and the much larger clown had jumped out. Of course by the time I realized this it was too late. Would it be ok if I purchased another percula clown for my now lonley smaller clown fish? If so should I look for one much larger than my other clown or smaller? Thanks for any info.

 

[fadeintoblue]

You'll get varied opinions on this so I'll just share my personal experience. If you move the one you have to a new tank with a new clown they'll become friends almost immediately. If you add a new clown to your existing tank chances are he won't accept a new fish(depending on how long he's been in there) and if he does they will probably fight for a few days. If you add a larger clown the odds are good she'll kill your existing clown. I have been through all scenarios above.
Hope this helps.

 

[bginop]

I think fadeintoblue is right about his/her assumptions.

In my personal experience I have three clowns living in 125 gallon tank. First I had the two perculas together and then about 6 months ago I put in a maroon clown when her mate died.

So, I wont lie to you and say that there will not be any fighting because you will probably see tattered fins, but if you keep your eye on your fish you should be ok.

 

[stykthyn]

wait for several months, in this time, your male will become female. after some time has passed introduce a small juvenile. the older fish should accept the new one with little fuss. be prepared to break them up if extreme aggression is observed, but I think it will be ok.

 

[tonypal85]

Its been well over a year since the other clown fish has died. I just recently felt like I should add another clown, hoping that they would get along. The current clown is still rather small. Its seems like he/she hasn't grown very much since I got it. I have had it for about 2 years. He is about 2 inches long. The large one that died a while back was about 3 inches long. Im not sure if I really want to try and add another clown if there is a chance that they can get very hostile towards one another.

 

[Razzagas]

My clown adapted a new mate immediatly. I have a medium clown and i added another very small one and they became a pair immediatly

 

[stykthyn]

if it has been over a year you should be fine, just keep an eye out and get the smallest clown yuo can find

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7344469#post7344469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stykthyn
wait for several months, in this time, your male will become female. after some time has passed introduce a small juvenile. the older fish should accept the new one with little fuss. be prepared to break them up if extreme aggression is observed, but I think it will be ok.

Disagree. Add a juvi before your male makes the sex change. Clowns become much more aggressive after they change. If you add now, there will be some agression, but likely not bad. If you wait 3 or 4 months, you may have trouble getting a male in there without it getting killed.


Just noticed its been a while. Make sure you add a SMALL one.


Wait, this is in a 180? I wouldnt even worry about it, just toss a little one in.

Its a little tough in a 30g or so, but clowns arent big enough swimmers that a 180 is goign to cause issues.

 

[tonypal85]

I want to thank everyone for your input, I really appreciate it. I think I will go ahead and add a very small one to my tank.