Lookong for some advice. Adding another clown to a single clown in a new tank.

[Owen386]

Hey fellow reefers,

So just looking for some advice on best practices.

Back story and info to answer questions I seek: clown fish were paired for 7-8 years one carpet surfed around a year ago. Single clown has been alone since. I am switching to new tank this weekend (larger).

I would like to have a pair of clowns in the new tank not just the one. What would be the best way to accomplish this in your experience.

Side note I can not risk loosing my current clown.

 

[afboundguy]

Get the same species and the smallest possible one you can find to increase the chances that it's a male as your current clown should be a female. If it wasn't the female before one went surfing it more than likely has turned into a female if it was the male by now.

The smaller the 2nd clown the better chance you have of mating them up and also not risking your current clown

 

[Owen386]

Get the same species and the smallest possible one you can find to increase the chances that it's a male as your current clown should be a female. If it wasn't the female before one went surfing it more than likely has turned into a female if it was the male by now.

The smaller the 2nd clown the better chance you have of mating them up and also not risking your current clown

Thanks for response. With switching tanks do you think I move over my current clown and then introduce the new clown in some time? Introduce both at same time? Or put new clown in new tank and then move over my old clown?

 

[afboundguy]

I would say putting them both in at same time during tank switch as long as parameters are stable. Should have added bonus that the current female's "territory" will be different so in theory she should have less aggression towards new male.

Also do some research on clownfish mating as some of what you might think is aggression isn't. I remember when my female clown would grab onto the tale of the male and bring him back to the RBTA!

 

[EddieG]

Also, to cut the risk for your existing clown, I would quarantine the new clown before introducing it into tank. Same species for sure.
Good luck

 

[Seapets]

What Clown species do you have?

I could probably help you

 

[Owen386]

Believe it's an ocellaris mocha variety

 

[Bandit13]

Get the same species and the smallest possible one you can find to increase the chances that it's a male as your current clown should be a female. If it wasn't the female before one went surfing it more than likely has turned into a female if it was the male by now.

The smaller the 2nd clown the better chance you have of mating them up and also not risking your current clown

This is what worked for me in my experience, with two ocellaris pairs. Got the smallest i could find and added, didnt have any aggression issues. Id imagine doing it during/shortly after tank move would make things easier as long as the tanks settled/etc.

 

[Rainsong]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I had a question as I'm looking at doing something similar.

I already moved my female Ocellaris to the new tank, should I still go with the smaller male to add? I don't want to end up with him being bullied because she's so much bigger and has already established her territory.

 

[afboundguy]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I had a question as I'm looking at doing something similar.

I already moved my female Ocellaris to the new tank, should I still go with the smaller male to add? I don't want to end up with him being bullied because she's so much bigger and has already established her territory.

The smaller the male the better the chance they should pair up and the better the chance it'll be an actual male.

 

[Rainsong]

The smaller the male the better the chance they should pair up and the better the chance it'll be an actual male.

Thank you for the reply. I'm so used to my other animals like my boas where size can be a factor in the opposite direction.

 

[this is me]

If the same species, the female never seek to kill the male. She’s only testing the guy to see if he’s fit enough to carry on the lineage.
Put the new clown in. Don’t worry too much about it.

 

[afboundguy]

If the same species, the female never seek to kill the male. She’s only testing the guy to see if he’s fit enough to carry on the lineage.
Put the new clown in. Don’t worry too much about it.

Exactly she wants to make sure he won't be a total baby! I still remember the first time my female grabbed the male's back fin and dragged him like a rag doll was hysterical once I realized what was happening!

 

[Seapets]

Exactly she wants to make sure he won't be a total baby! I still remember the first time my female grabbed the male's back fin and dragged him like a rag doll was hysterical once I realized what was happening!

As long as they’re not maroons or clerky , or tomato clowns .. you can add any two different color, Clown Fish ,no problem