Two clownfish species in the same tank

[darylm]

Hello everyone,

What are your thoughts on having two species of clownfish in the same tank?

We have a 72 gal with a pair of perculas and a yellow tang. They are all very happy and healthy. We were told at the lfs that we could add a single clarkii with no problems. But being the paranoid new reefers we are....

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[neemo]

Clowns are very territorial by nature and will feircely defend their territory, which in a smaller aquarium, means the whole aquarium. But I've known others that had 200G+ tanks that were successful in establishing two anemones and their clowns.
With a 72G, and an already established pair, I would advise against it.

[rottn]

I agree with neemo. I've got a 72g with a pair of percs in it. I'd LOVE to get a maroon, but am waiting till the 135g is set up. There's no way I'm gonna chance putting a new clown in with my 2 established clowns in a 72! As neemo said, if the tank was MUCH larger, maybe...

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :)

[ajx22]

I honestly wouldn't even do it in my 220Gal. I have a maroon clown and HAD a Domino damsel (same family) - and they had a huge hate-on for each other. As soon as one would find a HOME - the other would come over and stir up trouble.

It's honestly better to leave it with only your mated pair - and keep any other clowns in another tank.

JME

[VolitanVixen]

my percs and domino damsels get along great ... the damsels live in a nice little crevice in the LR and the percs go about their own business, leaving the damsels alone ... the first day i introduced the two species, they swam right for one another and all 4 (2 percs, 2 damsels) kind of hovered in this little group trying to figure one another out ... then they all went their separate ways and i haven't seen any aggression since. BTW ... these fish are together in a 17gal nano ... not at all a huge space, but plenty of SPACES in it :)

don't know if i would try it with 2 actual CLOWN species tho .. was told that only one would live. :( ... too bad ... i love clowns.

[kentracey]

I wouldn't. That is a very risky proposition in my mind...... especially for the clowns.

[Dman]

You might get away with it as they're not from the same complex. Clarkii's aren't too bad territorially speaking and if the percs are paired up they won't even give the Clarkii a second glance (this all changes if the percs start to breed).
Quick question, are the percs pretty much on one side or the other of the tank most of the time? IF they are then I would say you could try it. If the percs spend most of their time front and center, skip a third clown regardless of species.
If you do decide to add another clown, taking into consideration everyone's advice, make sure the new addition is BIG.

rottn,
Don't even go the maroon route, they are one of the most beligerent of the Family, I wouldn't suggest keeping them with ANY other anemonefish (of which the damsels and chromis' are also included in the same family)

ajx22,
ya, I could see the two of them getting into it, both being the same family (anemonefishes) they would see each other as a threat. Well, most damsels are beligerent to start with and add a Maroon that's not much better and away you go.

Dman
:spin:

[pluff]

Hi i got a pair of Maroon Clowns one is 5 inches.Also i got a percula clown and a 3 striped Damsel in a 90 gallon Tank.They all get along fine.Of coarse the large Maroon is BOSS!!! But there is never any fighting.

:cheers:

[nigel]

I once had a lone maroon clown in my reef for years then i got a small clarki; they got along well for a long time. I then added another clarki clown, the first clarki became very aggressive chasing the maroon until eventually the maroon died.

[afss]

you may be able to do it, but IMO its really not worth the risk. There are plenty of other cool fish to mix and match with.

Scott :cheers:

[Mugster]

After reading the other experiences with multiple Clownfish in one tank I must have been lucky. I had 6 of them in my 180. 2 Percs, 2 Tomato, and 2 Clarkiis. Never once did I have any problems with them fighting. Even when my Clarkiis would spawn there wasn't any problems. I might also add that I had 3 anemones as well. Only two were hosts to the Clownfish as the Percs never took to any of the anemones.

Even though I had no problems I wouldn't recommend it.

HTH,
Kev

[visor]

I WOULD NOT DO IT .I HAVE A 175 GL AND I HAD NOTHING BUT TRUBBLE WHEN I TRIED IT

[trigger]

I have a 65 gallon tank.
Right now I have 3 common clowns and 1 skunk clown they are living together fine and have been for the past 3 months

[Sohal Tang]

Definitely I would NOT do it...just asking for trouble....
I mean if the kick the crap outta each other and you fish
out the dead one that is ONE THING...

but..if things turn from bad to worse and one of them
ends up with ICK for example due to stress of fight...
then you have a WHOLE NEW BALL GAME due to
an unnecessary risk...

NOTTA...

I agree with AJ...dont do it...just my .02 worth
This ain't no CLOWNIN AROUND IDEA..hehehe
These fish have the WRONG NAME..they should
call em mmmmmmmm SCRAPPERS or ......let
me see...ROUGHNECKS or....
ORANGE TWISTERS...anything but CLOWNS hehehe
although mine is SMILIN AT ME RIGHT NOW.FROM THE NANO..hehe

good luck in any case.
Tim
;)

[darylm]

thanks everyone..............i did take your advice