Clown fish
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71171
Printed Date: September 14 2025 at 8:39pm
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Topic: Clown fish
Posted By: LakeCityReefs
Subject: Clown fish
Date Posted: May 03 2014 at 11:12am
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I currently have a 3" female Ocellaris clown and a young male. I would like to addo more clowns but I know they are territorial. I am wondering if I add the right amount or the right size fish if I could add more??? The clowns I have host the same long tentacle anemone and never go into the RBTA that I have. If I added more clowns would they use the other anemone? Please let me know if you have had any experience with this. |
Replies:
Posted By: Dan9554880
Date Posted: May 03 2014 at 12:13pm
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I have. A 90 gallon and had a pair that would host my anemones. So I decided to added another pair and they fought. Now three of the four clownfish are hosting the rbta and are friends but the new female doesn't hang around them. If she gets too close they will chased her. What size tanks do you have? ------------- 210 Mixed Reef 20 Nuvo nano reef Learn your tank, not the hobby |
Posted By: LakeCityReefs
Date Posted: May 03 2014 at 1:05pm
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It's a 90. I was thinking if I added small clowns and the big female remained dominant I might be OK. The problem with my tank is that if I add a fish that isn't compatible then it's hell trying to remove it. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: May 03 2014 at 5:31pm
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When adding clownfish, the outcome can be very random because clownfish personalities are so different. The current female might tolerate another pair if the new female is strong enough, but there is no guarantee. That's where http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=34014" rel="nofollow - Fish Training will make the difference . Adding all smaller clownfish will pretty much ensure they all remain subservient males for a while, until the old female allows one to change and select a mate. Aloha  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: LakeCityReefs
Date Posted: May 03 2014 at 5:59pm
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If a clown is left solitary in a tank does it stay male or become female? Once a clown has changed to a female can it change back to a male? |
Posted By: Dan9554880
Date Posted: May 03 2014 at 6:37pm
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When I added the second pair the male (small) didn't had problem with the current pair while the female (large) had problems with the original pair. Until this day the female and the pair doesn't get a long. I suggest to get something like a breeder net to separate the clowns (the original pair would be best to be isolated) ------------- 210 Mixed Reef 20 Nuvo nano reef Learn your tank, not the hobby |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: May 04 2014 at 6:33am
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I don't know if an Anemonefish left solitary in a tank retains its sexual identity or whether it assumes the female sexual identity, but it can definitely become very domineering in it's environment, even if it was previously the subservient male in its relationship. From what I have seen, the longer it remains the solitary Anemonefish, the more it may become an aggressive "hermit", preferring it's solitude to the companionship of another Anemonefish. On the other hand, there is "Big Mama". She is a fat 5.5" Maroon Clownfish kept for almost 20 years by Fish Mama/Barbara here on the forum. Barbara also lives here in Murray, less than a mile away from me. Big Mama is very kind to the various mates she has had over the years, even when she has been moved from one tank to another. Maroon Clowns are some of the meanest of Anemonefish, yet Big Mama is quite gentle, allowing any new hand to invade her territory without serious incident. An Anemonefish that was previously the male of a relationship, when placed in a new tank with others, can become the dominant female and will spawn with a chosen male. The only way we can truly tell male from female is when they spawn. I don't know if there is anything conclusive about a female Anemonefish that laid eggs, later spawning as a male. It's more that we observe subservience or dominance among them, which seems to be about strength of personality rather than whether the fish has been male or female. This is what I have seen, but I am always interested to read of different/conflicting experiences from other hobbyists. Aloha ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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