Species Tank

[johnstires]

I have a 55G tank (4ft long) which I am getting started again. I have been keeping reef tanks for 20 years and was considering trying to do a single species clownfish tank. I was going to get a bunch of tank bred juveniles and anemones and then observe the dynamics of them pairing off, creating territory, etc.

I plan on scapeing the tank to where I can give a good amount of space for the fish form their territories.

Before I do this I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a good species to do this with and about how many I can get for a 55G. I have kept occellaris clowns for 20 years, so am interested in trying a different species like skunk clowns. I'd love some advice from anyone who has tried to do this.

 

[spieszak]

last I check the only exception to the 2 clowns per tank rule (regardless of species) was tank size in the 300 gallon range.

 

[johnstires]

Also, want to note that I searched the forums, read the sticky on this and most people were asking about adding clowns to a tank that already has clowns or mixing different species. A few were on single species, but didn't get much info. I'm more interested in people's experiences (rather than reading threads), good or bad with trying to get a bunch of tank bred juvies and putting them in a tank that is stacked with anemones. I don't plan on getting a bunch of other fish, I don't plan on getting a crazy amount of corals, just looking for single species clowns and anemones.

In cases like this, not sure if having more is better because it disperses aggression. Are even numbers better so everyone gets a chance to pair?

 

[JustinGr]

I have done this several times, but for short periods. The tank you are talking about is small, and in a few months, the dominate pair(s) will fight and the unsexed juvs will suffer relentless beatings. Some will die, and other will starve, etc if left in the tank after pairing. Most places that leave large amount of clowns in a tank are the juvs and no aquascaping at all.

This is not a good idea unless you are strictly looking for pairing and then you remove the rest right away, wait for another pair, then remove, and work your way down the list. There is no need for rock work etc for this to happen, a bare tank will make this happen.

 

[johnstires]

Thanks for relaying your experience. That's a bummer, I've seen lots of tanks at public aquariums that have scores of clowns and anemones. Granted those are 100s of gallons, but was still hoping it might be done on a smaller scale.

Could I do something like this with bangaii cardinals or damsels?

 

[JustinGr]

Cards are not my area, someone can help you there.

However, public aquariums are not models of what to do. They replace fish like they are free. The Shedd in Chi-Town will do things that are not recommended in the hobby because they can replace the dead ones daily, but it pleases the unwashed masses that visit daily.

 

[johnstires]

Yeah I hear you about public aquariums, but this aquarium in Riverhead NY is pretty amazing and what inspired me to want to try it:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28110584@N04/2855580780
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45910094@N07/6463941499

The Long Island Aquarium, while small, is super legit which can be seen in their 20,000 gallon live reef tank:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35538877@N04/3679147048

What I wanted to do was pack a tank with RBTA and GBTA, and then get like a 8-10 pink skunks and see if the multitude of anemones and clowns would create a situation where there is so many clowns in one place that they would disperse aggression all around, thus allowing them to co-habitate.

I think it would be an interesting experiment. I am fine with removing clowns if I notice clowns being beat up and then to chalk it down as an experiment concluded.

I mainly just want to make sure I'm not just going to wake up to a tank full of dead clowns one morning because **** hit the fan while I was asleep.

I've been keeping fish for a while and want to do something a little more experimental as opposed to just a straight up reef tank. I guess I'm mostly posting here because I want to make sure I'm not setting out to do something stupid. I understand the risk and am fine with removing clowns if things get too hairy. But I kinda want to try this and just want to make sure that some of the experts here think it is ok to try so long as I go about it carefully.

 

[sig_1959]

I have a 55G tank (4ft long) which I am getting started again. I have been keeping reef tanks for 20 years and was considering trying to do a single species clownfish tank. I was going to get a bunch of tank bred juveniles and anemones and then observe the dynamics of them pairing off, creating territory, etc.

I plan on scapeing the tank to where I can give a good amount of space for the fish form their territories.

Before I do this I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a good species to do this with and about how many I can get for a 55G. I have kept occellaris clowns for 20 years, so am interested in trying a different species like skunk clowns. I'd love some advice from anyone who has tried to do this.

It could be done but it always depends on personality of the fishes. I had 4 clowns in the 120.

It was 2 in the beginning and I added two more. it was temporary mess and switches in the pairs, but later pairs were established and one pair started to harass second, but just during feed time. These 2 pairs were living on the opposite sides of the tank and were hosting different anemones.
in one day mated bigger pair accepted smaller clown from another pair.
They were lying eggs and I was told by one guy that female keeps second male in reserve just in case when first male will be neglegant in care for the eggs.

It was continued for ~ 10 months, until I sold tank

but with my current pair of Unix clowns it will be impossible. These 2 are like crazy rotwellers and will kill anything around. They physically attack my hands

 

[velvetelvis]

Thanks for relaying your experience. That's a bummer, I've seen lots of tanks at public aquariums that have scores of clowns and anemones. Granted those are 100s of gallons, but was still hoping it might be done on a smaller scale.

Could I do something like this with bangaii cardinals or damsels?

Banggais will kill each other off unless they're a proven pair. I recently tried keeping a supposedly bonded pair together in a 50G and had to separate them soon after acquiring them, because the smaller cardinal was being relentlessly harassed by its supposed mate.

Damsels would also be tricky. I once experimented with keeping a small group (about 5) of C. talboti--supposedly one of the most peaceful damsels--together in a 75 that was full of live rock. Again, I had to separate them due to fighting.

If you really want to keep a large group of fishes together and watch them interact, I'd just keep a species that does well in groups--threadfin or copper-striped cardinals, for example. The alternative scenario will be hard on the fish that aren't able to compete successfully, and it isn't really fair to put them in a situation where they can't escape their aggressors unless you physically remove them.