clown fish + stranger clownfish = ?

new reefer 03 · 10-12-2008, 11:59 PM

i have a clown fish that got beat up in my other tank, it now is healed, and i want to try to make him a friend, which is safer?
a clownish from my LFS, or an anemone? do clownfishes change their sexes to make another pair?
Thanks

new reefer 03 · 10-13-2008, 12:20 AM

Please Help Me

woolfe · 10-13-2008, 12:34 AM

If your moving him/her I would add the newbe at the same time as the move. Once the male doesn't have any territory to protect he'll be more open to the idea. I say male because IMHO the new clown should be bigger. I used this method when pairing my maroons and I only had to try 2 before he liked one

I had 4 smaller ones first & had to pull them out before they were killed. Little weak fish put in with happy heathy bigger fish is bad!

seafansar · 10-13-2008, 12:44 AM

Clownfish turn from male to female depending on the other clownfish around them. In the wild, the largest most dominate fish is the female and the smaller ones are male or juvenile (not sexually developed). If the female dies, the most dominate male becomes the new female.
Chances are your clownfish is already a female. I'd try finding the smallest clown you can find and add him. If you add another female, they will fight.
What kind of clown is it? More docile perculas or false percs are easier to pair than more aggressive species like clarkiis.

seafansar · 10-13-2008, 12:46 AM

Forgot to add, they cannot change back to male once they are a female.

new reefer 03 · 10-13-2008, 01:19 AM

my current one was bought as a pair ( hes the male ) but when I put with my other pair he, was picked on, and near death ( all 3 are now together, excluding him ) i just put him in the 55 like 1 hour ago i beleive he is a percula not sure of true or false, heres a pic

[IMG]

[/IMG]

sandyc · 10-13-2008, 08:13 AM

Clown pairs are very territorial. Best to only keep two in a tank unless your tank is VERY large. Once they pair up, any clown not a part of the pair will be picked on or killed. He should be ok now that he is in a separate tank. If I read your post correctly, his mate is still with the other pair? If so, you may want to move her into the tank with him. She could be in danger. They will propbably pair up once again.

If you need to make a new pair, I agree with Seafansar. Get a small one. The size difference between the two should be significant. This works best for making a pair. Even of your current fish is a male, he will make the sex change and turn female.

If you are looking to breed in the future, I suggest Joyce Wilkerson book on clowns. You can get it at amazon or if you just want to look through it first, your library can get it in interlibrary loan. I originally got it through the library and decided to buy a copy as it is a fantastic refference book for breeding. The book also describes clowns fish behavior, such as aggression and pair bonding.

Looks like a false perc or Ocellaris. Good Luck!

cbrownfish · 10-13-2008, 08:40 AM

Nice overview Seafansar. Putting more than 2 clowns in a tank this size is indeed a very bad idea. Even if they initially get along, vicious fighting for dominance will likely occur in the long run.

Just recently, I modified my nano tank for my new Reef Lobster. I had a very small juvenile 3/4" GSM Clown in the tank that needed a new home. I have another 2" GSM that has been living in my fuge for 18 months but I have owned it for 2.5 years. A clown that lives solitary typically turns female. I placed the juvie in with the mature clown and they are getting along famously. The larger clown never showed agression and the little guy immediately assumed the subservient role.

IMO, I would try a very small juvenile with this clown. It has already shown that it does not do well with a more dominant fish.

new reefer 03 · 10-13-2008, 05:59 PM

ill just go to my LFS and get a 1 inch or smaller Clown ??

surfzone · 10-13-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

my current one was bought as a pair ( hes the male ) but when I put with my other pair he, was picked on, and near death ( all 3 are now together, excluding him ) i just put him in the 55 like 1 hour ago i beleive he is a percula not sure of true or false, heres a pic

[IMG][/IMG]

He looks to be a A. ocellaris. To my understanding Ocellaris clowns have a black eye where percula clowns have a black pupal and orange iris.

new reefer 03 · 10-13-2008, 11:07 PM

haha ok let me change this thread from will he pair to WHAT TYPE OF CLOWFISH IS HE?

10-13-2008, 12:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
woolfe Sea Pen Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 331 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: clown fish + stranger clownfish = ? If your moving him/her I would add the newbe at the same time as the move. Once the male doesn't have any territory to protect he'll be more open to the idea. I say male because IMHO the new clown should be bigger. I used this method when pairing my maroons and I only had to try 2 before he liked one I had 4 smaller ones first & had to pull them out before they were killed. Little weak fish put in with happy heathy bigger fish is bad! __________________ Wendy 90 gal reef w/ a 29 gal seahorse tank connected. 30 gal. nano w/ Maroons

10-13-2008, 12:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
seafansar Elegance coral Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 1,199 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: clown fish + stranger clownfish = ? Clownfish turn from male to female depending on the other clownfish around them. In the wild, the largest most dominate fish is the female and the smaller ones are male or juvenile (not sexually developed). If the female dies, the most dominate male becomes the new female. Chances are your clownfish is already a female. I'd try finding the smallest clown you can find and add him. If you add another female, they will fight. What kind of clown is it? More docile perculas or false percs are easier to pair than more aggressive species like clarkiis. __________________ -Sara SW since Jan. '08 150 gallon SPS reef 20 gallon BTA/clown tank 90 gallon bowfront mixed reef 45 gallon cube 150 tank thread 45 cube thread My Reefnook

10-13-2008, 12:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
seafansar Elegance coral Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 1,199 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: clown fish + stranger clownfish = ? Forgot to add, they cannot change back to male once they are a female. __________________ -Sara SW since Jan. '08 150 gallon SPS reef 20 gallon BTA/clown tank 90 gallon bowfront mixed reef 45 gallon cube 150 tank thread 45 cube thread My Reefnook

10-13-2008, 08:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
sandyc Torch coral Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 526 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: clown fish + stranger clownfish = ? Clown pairs are very territorial. Best to only keep two in a tank unless your tank is VERY large. Once they pair up, any clown not a part of the pair will be picked on or killed. He should be ok now that he is in a separate tank. If I read your post correctly, his mate is still with the other pair? If so, you may want to move her into the tank with him. She could be in danger. They will propbably pair up once again. If you need to make a new pair, I agree with Seafansar. Get a small one. The size difference between the two should be significant. This works best for making a pair. Even of your current fish is a male, he will make the sex change and turn female. If you are looking to breed in the future, I suggest Joyce Wilkerson book on clowns. You can get it at amazon or if you just want to look through it first, your library can get it in interlibrary loan. I originally got it through the library and decided to buy a copy as it is a fantastic refference book for breeding. The book also describes clowns fish behavior, such as aggression and pair bonding. Looks like a false perc or Ocellaris. Good Luck! __________________ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...h-me-luck.html - my breeding adventure

10-13-2008, 08:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
cbrownfish Reef Lobster Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,633 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: clown fish + stranger clownfish = ? Nice overview Seafansar. Putting more than 2 clowns in a tank this size is indeed a very bad idea. Even if they initially get along, vicious fighting for dominance will likely occur in the long run. Just recently, I modified my nano tank for my new Reef Lobster. I had a very small juvenile 3/4" GSM Clown in the tank that needed a new home. I have another 2" GSM that has been living in my fuge for 18 months but I have owned it for 2.5 years. A clown that lives solitary typically turns female. I placed the juvie in with the mature clown and they are getting along famously. The larger clown never showed agression and the little guy immediately assumed the subservient role. IMO, I would try a very small juvenile with this clown. It has already shown that it does not do well with a more dominant fish. __________________ *Confucius Say: "best way to save face, is to keep lower part of face shut".* CURRENT SET UP -- 90 gallon display, 30 gallon refugium, 6 gallon pod breeder, 100 gallon sump (complete with frag rack), 2X250 MH 14K DE HQI, Vortech MP40w and Koralia #4 for flow, 2X Tunze 9010 Skimmers, Sequence Dart return, 2X Ranco Controllers w/Titanium Heaters, 150 lb LR (90 in display, 60 in sump), 5" DSB, Mixed reef - Softies, LPS, SPS, Clams.

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