Tankmates for WSM clownfish

[Ohio]

Hi all, I posted this question in the fish only forum but I figured you all might be able to help me since you are clown experts.

I am moving my WSMs from my reef tank and would like to put flashy non reef fish with them. The Maroons have become very aggressive and will not allow me to add any new fish to the reef tank. So I will be adding them to their new home last. The tank is a 46 gallon with canister filtration. My favorite non reef fish is the Picasso Trigger but it gets too large for my setup. I also have considered a dwarf zebra lionfish. I decided against this because I couldn't stomach my Maroons getting punctured by the spines due to their aggressive nature. Also the Maroons will have an anemone but they a very good at protecting it. So, I am asking you: what is small enough for a 46 gallon but can hold its own against and not kill my Maroon clownfish.

 

[lilyost4290]

The lion shouldn't bother the maroons I have my dwarf in with a tomato and its perfectly fine. As long as the maroon is large enough to not get eaten that is

 

[Ohio]

That is what my LFS told me, but I am a little worried about him using his fins for defense and her getting skewered. i read that it could happen. With my Maroons' personality, she would be the one it would happen to. They lay eggs every other week like clockwork, so she is extra territorial and this is a relatively small tank. 46 gallon, about 36in w by 18in deep by 24in tall.

The female is pretty big. My male is only about 2 1/2 inches but she rarely lets him out of the anemone. I still think he is bigger than the Zebras mouth but I may be wrong.

She is getting booted out of the 125 gallon reef for harassing new fish and destroying my baby BTAs. I have 4 different BTAs and she will only allow 1 to flourish. I tolerated her Rick redecorating and sand throwing but killing livestock is unacceptable. So right now she is unhappily hanging out in the sump until I get her new tankmate established.

 

[Ohio]

The lion shouldn't bother the maroons I have my dwarf in with a tomato and its perfectly fine. As long as the maroon is large enough to not get eaten that is

I would love to get the lionfish but am still not sure. Is your Tomato's personality similar to a Maroons? Was it an adult when you added the Lionfish or did they grow up together? Do you have a pair or just a female? If a pair, do you worry about the male getting eaten? The size difference in Maroons is huge, not sure is Tomato's are the same.

Thanks for your help, Jenn

 

[Azedenkae]

There is ALWAYS a risk when mixing lionfish with any other fish. True, they won't be eaten if the other fish is not enough, but there's always a chance that for whatever reason the lionfish may poison the other fish - and it may be purely coincidental. Something could spook the WSM for example, and it may run into the lionfish and get poisoned.

So yah, there is always a risk.

There really isn't much you can add though. There's really no reef-equivalent of a Pleco. Maybe a wrasse that can hide in the sand. Maybe.