adding a 2nd clownfish?

[tlo]

Hi all
I'm wondering if I can get some advice. I had 2 farm raised clownfish for about 4 months, so they are still quite young (under 1 year?) Last night one jumped out of the tank and I found her dead on the floor this am:(
I have the tank covered, but she must have managed to get out where the piping goes in.
Anyways, I am wondering if I can add another clownfish, or if I am just going to end up with a lot of bullying. I really would like to have a pair.
thanks

[Mugster]

You shouldn't have any problems adding another clown. Try to get one close to the same size or even a tad bigger. Chances are they'll pair up immediately. I've never had a problem doing this.



:hi1:

[tankies]

i did that...added a 2nd one..but i added a smaller one this time...there was bullying for awhile(abt 2days), after that, all's well. now they just hang together and sleep together.

[Dman]

Better off getting a bigger one

[chuckm]

i would add a smaller clownfish of the same species soon. Clownfish change sex from juvenile to male to female, and do not reverse this process.....the larger of the two being female in a pair. Buying a smaller fish might give you success if the fish you lost was male. you would,nt want to have two females. As well a smaller clown could asume the male role and your remaining clown change to female. There will be bullying and will take time to have dominance roles played out(who's the boss), but will be alright with time.

[Fragalot]

I would add close to same size or a bit bigger than you have in your tank.

[smp]

Kind of a mixed response you're getting here so I'll throw my 3 cents in:
get a black one.



Hey, it worked for me.

[tlo]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I got a second one that was a tiny bit bigger and they are now best friends :)

[tankies]

How long did they take to settle their arguments??? :)

[tlo]

They didn't argue at all! They paired up right away.

[RonPeter]

Love at first sight! LOL

[tankies]

oh wow..thats cool....congrats as ron mentioned :blove: at 1st sight!

[Dman]

Bigger was the way to go and I'll explain:
The surviving clown at less then or close to a year old would have been an unsexed juvenile, but would have the run of the tank as it had been there longer. Therefore a smaller fish would have been not only in new surroundings and not know where to go, but would have to fight for acceptance.
A larger fish although in new surroundings, would have had to put up much less of a fight for acceptance simply due to physical size.
Sort of a balancing act.

[tankies]

:iagree: and yet, i did the other way around. not by choice, long story :)

[rentyn79]

Will two clowns of different species pair up? Or do they have to be of the same species?

Thanks, Mike

[Dman]

Will two clowns of different species pair up? Or do they have to be of the same species?

Thanks, Mike

Inter species happens from time to time, it's not entirely isolated.

[tom75a]

how do i tell if i have a pair ..when i bought them i asked for a pair but the guy just scuped 2 out of the tank and put in a bag . is the aney diferances in aperance male to female . 1 is about 1.5 inches and the othe one is about an inch but both have the same colours and everything....
thanks

[RonPeter]

Usually the bigger one is the female I think.