how many clowns can we keep in a 120 Gal

reefer_new · 03/18/2011, 04:51 PM

can we keep different types of clowns in a 120 tank?

i was think i could get

Ocellaris Clownfish X 2
Yellowstripe Maroon Clownfish X 2

along with other fish.. (not decided yet)

Thanks

olemiss reb · 03/18/2011, 04:55 PM

2 of one species, unless you put a divider in the tank.

davocean · 03/18/2011, 05:13 PM

One pair only.

reefer_new · 03/18/2011, 05:28 PM

thax i will go with Ocellaris Clownfish X 2

what the reason behind not adding more??

olemiss reb · 03/18/2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefer_new

what the reason behind not adding more??

they'll kill each other

Angel*Fish · 03/18/2011, 05:34 PM

They tend to kill each other especially as spawning pairs. It's usually a terrible idea. Maroons are the most aggressive and the worse choice possible. If you already know, I apologize, but most beginners don't have a clue what they are in for in purchasing maroons. They turn almost black and usually look like they are in a bad mood, at least the female does. Female maroons often appropriate a good portion of your tank, say 30g and will remove or even destroy and coral you place they she doesn't approve of. And you'd be amaze at the size of rocks they will move if they don't appreciate your aquascaping.

jeff@zina.com · 03/18/2011, 07:09 PM

A couple things to keep in mind. First, clowns are very territorial. Luckily that territory is generally small, so clowns at opposite ends tend to never meet. Second, clowns are sexually dimorphic, meaning they can turn female if needed. So any pair of clowns that doesn't kill each other becomes a bonded pair.

Will this pair kill others? Maybe. Not usually if they are smaller. And it depends on the species. Will clowns of different species kill each other? Maybe. But not if they're not in competition for territory (including food) and mates. Every bit of this depends on individuals and their specific environments.

So, how many clowns can you keep in a 120 gallon tank? All the survivors.

Jeff

Angel*Fish · 03/18/2011, 07:13 PM

In case you decide to go for a maroon pair, either buy an established pair or look up how to pair them, it's not like pairing ocellaris - the female will kill the male, ripping him to shreds, if certain precautions aren't taken

davocean · 03/18/2011, 07:22 PM

[QUOTE=jeff@zina.com;18511549

Will this pair kill others? Maybe. Not usually if they are smaller. And it depends on the species. Will clowns of different species kill each other? Maybe. But not if they're not in competition for territory (including food) and mates. Every bit of this depends on individuals and their specific environments.

Jeff[/QUOTE]

Actually "usually" if not almost always in a normal size tank the bonded or more so mated pair will kill off any other clowns, especially as they mature, and this happens regardless of species, just some are quicker to become aggressive and more aggressive than others.
There are very rare exceptions to this rule in a normal size tank.
The only time I see multiple clowns in one tank successfully LONG TERM is when they are from the same clutch.

Angel*Fish · 03/18/2011, 07:53 PM

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=245520

bamf25 · 03/18/2011, 08:09 PM

So introducing two juviniles same species, same size should pose no issues?

davocean · 03/18/2011, 11:32 PM

Juvies same size, one pair will most likely work it out, you'll most likely see one just grow bigger/faster.
Preference is one slightly bigger than the other(establishes dominance).

03/18/2011, 04:51 PM	#1
reefer_new Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 35	how many clowns can we keep in a 120 Gal can we keep different types of clowns in a 120 tank? i was think i could get Ocellaris Clownfish X 2 Yellowstripe Maroon Clownfish X 2 along with other fish.. (not decided yet) Thanks

03/18/2011, 04:55 PM	#2
olemiss reb Molon Labe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,550	2 of one species, unless you put a divider in the tank. __________________ secesh

03/18/2011, 05:13 PM	#3
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	One pair only. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/18/2011, 05:34 PM	#6
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	They tend to kill each other especially as spawning pairs. It's usually a terrible idea. Maroons are the most aggressive and the worse choice possible. If you already know, I apologize, but most beginners don't have a clue what they are in for in purchasing maroons. They turn almost black and usually look like they are in a bad mood, at least the female does. Female maroons often appropriate a good portion of your tank, say 30g and will remove or even destroy and coral you place they she doesn't approve of. And you'd be amaze at the size of rocks they will move if they don't appreciate your aquascaping. __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

03/18/2011, 07:13 PM	#8
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	In case you decide to go for a maroon pair, either buy an established pair or look up how to pair them, it's not like pairing ocellaris - the female will kill the male, ripping him to shreds, if certain precautions aren't taken __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

03/18/2011, 05:28 PM	#4
reefer_new Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 35	thax i will go with Ocellaris Clownfish X 2 what the reason behind not adding more??

03/18/2011, 07:09 PM	#7
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	A couple things to keep in mind. First, clowns are very territorial. Luckily that territory is generally small, so clowns at opposite ends tend to never meet. Second, clowns are sexually dimorphic, meaning they can turn female if needed. So any pair of clowns that doesn't kill each other becomes a bonded pair. Will this pair kill others? Maybe. Not usually if they are smaller. And it depends on the species. Will clowns of different species kill each other? Maybe. But not if they're not in competition for territory (including food) and mates. Every bit of this depends on individuals and their specific environments. So, how many clowns can you keep in a 120 gallon tank? All the survivors. Jeff

03/18/2011, 07:22 PM	#9
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	[QUOTE=jeff@zina.com;18511549 Will this pair kill others? Maybe. Not usually if they are smaller. And it depends on the species. Will clowns of different species kill each other? Maybe. But not if they're not in competition for territory (including food) and mates. Every bit of this depends on individuals and their specific environments. Jeff[/QUOTE] Actually "usually" if not almost always in a normal size tank the bonded or more so mated pair will kill off any other clowns, especially as they mature, and this happens regardless of species, just some are quicker to become aggressive and more aggressive than others. There are very rare exceptions to this rule in a normal size tank. The only time I see multiple clowns in one tank successfully LONG TERM is when they are from the same clutch. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/18/2011, 07:53 PM	#10
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=245520 __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

03/18/2011, 08:09 PM	#11
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	So introducing two juviniles same species, same size should pose no issues?

03/18/2011, 11:32 PM	#12
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Juvies same size, one pair will most likely work it out, you'll most likely see one just grow bigger/faster. Preference is one slightly bigger than the other(establishes dominance). __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

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