Two clownfish in one tank

[Wilkerson.reed]

I am 14 and new to saltwater tanks still... I have had an orange occelaris clownfish in my 36 gallon tank for over a year by itself so I assume it is female... I went to my LFS today and they said that I could put a black occelaris clown in my tank with my other clown and they would get along fine. The black clown in the store looked smaller than the other clown in the tank so I assumed it was male. I got home and realized that the black occelaris clown was definitely larger than my orange occelaris clown which I assume to be female. Isnt the female usually larger? Will this create a problem? Sorry if this is a dumb question and my LFS said they would be fine because they are the same species of clown and color doesn't matter. Please help!!

 

[shifty51008]

Yes it will be a issue as females cant turn to male. I would return it for a smaller one. But yes a black ocy will be fine with yours

 

[Wilkerson.reed]

So even fit he bigger one is a male would it be a problem? Because the black one was smaller than the one in the store but bigger than mine at home... So if it is male, is it a problem that he is bigger

 

[Wilkerson.reed]

Should I at least try it and see? My LFS is going to close and I have nowhere to put the fish... Even if it is a male, will it turn female because it is bigger?

 

[Wilkerson.reed]

I tried it and the clowns are swimming right past one another right now... They are not fighting at all... Does this mean they will stay this way?

 

[rffanat1c]

No it doesn't mean that. It's good they aren't fighting.

 

[shifty51008]

Just because they dont fight right away dont mean it will stay that way. Ive seen people have 3 clowns get along in the same tank for a year with no issues but after the pair started to lay eggs the 3rd one was a gonner.

 

[ThRoewer]

Yes it will be a issue as females cant turn to male. I would return it for a smaller one. But yes a black ocy will be fine with yours

I suppose you meant "males can turn into females".

As for the OP - I would try how they react towards each other. Small clownfish do not turn female automatically when being alone. First they have to be mature males and then they need a submissive partner to complete the transformation from male to female.

 

[shifty51008]

I ment females cant turn back into males, if he/she already has a female and the new one is also a female they will fight

 

[addictedreefer]

I suppose you meant "males can turn into females".

As for the OP - I would try how they react towards each other. Small clownfish do not turn female automatically when being alone. First they have to be mature males and then they need a submissive partner to complete the transformation from male to female.

+1. You very well may have two unsexed juveniles. If so, the larger, more dominant fish can turn into a female and the smaller fish can turn into a male. Just keep an eye out for excessive aggression.

 

[Cparcaut]

I would watch the fish's interactions, if they are both young they may not be any gender yet.
There are a couple of options with these fish. The larger could be a large male, although it is more likely they are both females if both are relatively large.
If you do not want to take the risk I would return the fish and pick a smaller one.