Two different clown pairs in same tank

[tylerdj]

I know this is a much debated subject but does anybody think it is possible to keep a family of black occelaris and a pair of true percs together in the same tank. The tank dimensions are 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet deep. I was thinking of 2 carpet anenomes.

 

[rastarainy]

with your tank dimensions? definately. when your introducing the new pair of clowns, put a divider (if you can) in the tank and put the new clowns+carpet anemone on one side so that the previous clowns can't get to the new anemone.

 

[tylerdj]

Thanks for your input. Does anyone think that I could keep a "family" of black occelaris, 1 male, 1 female, and 2-3 juvies like what happens in nature.

 

[rastarainy]

Again most likely. Oh btw a family is usually called a clutch. When you do
introduce the clowns put up some pics

 

[rkelman]

I don't know if I'd try the family thing... They can be pretty agressive in smaller numbers. In my growouts if I get below about 75 fish (in a 15g) they start killing each other off one by one. You really have to keep an eye on them if you attempt it. Don't try both things at the same time obviously.

 

[rastarainy]

Wow. 75 clowns in a 15g? I'm guessing you don't have much decór in the tank.....and a lot of equipment to keep the nitrates down!

 

[tylerdj]

Thankyou, and I think he meant 75 in a growout tank, as in they are still very very small. So basically my options are either a family of black occelaris, or true percs. Or of Two pairs?

 

[rkelman]

Yes I meant a growout tank. I wouldn't say very small. 1 1/2" isn't that small. I think the family and the Percs MAY be doable but you need to move slow. If you dump all those fish in at once you'll have alot of dead clowns guaranteed. I'd start with the "family" because Ocellaris are alot more docile and it will allow them to get their territory setup. Then I'd introduce 2 small percs (much smaller than the Ocellaris) and hopefully the Occ's will assert dominance over their territory and force the Percs to the other end of the tank. I've had Percs beatup much larger Ocellaris before...

 

[Gig 'em]

maybe if you introduce the clowns at the same time to the tank so none have dominance yet. Or you can match them by slowly acclimating them together with a breeder or a glass wall so they can see each other and get acquainted and then allow them to inter mingle while closely observing them for safety. But I honestly have no experience with this situation, but this may be a possible solution to their hostility towards one another.

 

[Gig 'em]

by the way, can we see a full tank picture of this behemoth aquarium of yours?

 

[OrionN]

I had 4 H magnifica and 3 Ocellaris and two Pink Skunk in my 450 g tank before. The two species of clown stay on different anemones. The three Ocellaris really is not a family but a pair and one juv go push out of the anemone. He just get in at night or when danger is around (like when I put my hand in the tank). The third Ocellaris did not really get beat up a lot, just occasional torn fin, but he really did not seem happy. He stay small but not thin because I feed my tank well.
FWIW, both of these species are the most docile of the clowns.

 

[Toddrtrex]

OrionN --- were your pink skunks spawning at the time? I have found that since my started they have gotten more aggressive. When I paired up my Potter's angels, it was the skunks that caused more issues compared to the existing Potter's.

 

[OrionN]

My Ocellaris spawned regularly in this large tnak. The Pink skunks were add latter and was not fully mature when my tank crashed. The Ocellaris survived but the wild caught skunks did not.

 

[tylerdj]

Ok I guess I will go with the occelaris in tank first then the percs. But I am just curious but don't alot of people put like up to 5 regular occelaris (not onyx) in the same tank. Because in all my marine books there are like 5 occelaris in each tank. FYI the books are from like the 90's.