Adding a 3rd clownfish. good or Bad?

TheSWHobbyist · 07/14/2014, 12:51 PM

So I have had my 75 gallon tank for a little less than a year now and the first fish I bought were 2 clownfish. So in total I have 2 clowns, 1 yellow tang, 1 Banggai cardinal, 1 manderin fish, and 1 blue green Chromis. I found a good deal on Kijiji, he is selling a maroon clownfish and his anemone, he sent really good pictures of the clown hosting in the anemone and the clown he said was around 3 and a half inches long. So I was wondering if I would be able to add the maroon clownfish with my other clowns. My clowns are about 1 and a half to 2 inches long. I have heard a lot about that maroon clowns are very aggressive and will take over anemone homes and territory but if I put the clown into the tank already with his hosting anemone will he still want to fight for territory?? And won't my clowns be to scared to fight the larger clown so in the end the all will be at their own spot?

justinky · 07/14/2014, 01:11 PM

It's not going to work out well.

olemiss reb · 07/14/2014, 01:33 PM

Thunderdome.

ETA- for those not old enough for the reference- the outcome will not be pretty.

Sugar Magnolia · 07/14/2014, 01:35 PM

No. Only 2 clowns per tank. Adding that 3rd clown will be it's death sentence.

organism · 07/14/2014, 05:21 PM

I think the options aren't "good or bad" as much as "bad or worse."

planedoc · 07/14/2014, 05:26 PM

As long as your main goal is to lower the cost of feeding your fish than it will be fine.

snorvich · 07/14/2014, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planedoc

As long as your main goal is to lower the cost of feeding your fish than it will be fine.

Yup. The GSM will win. Easily. And in this sized tank, may not stop with the other clownfish.

Nc208082 · 07/14/2014, 05:39 PM

Adding the maroon clown will result in your two current clowns deaths. Maroons are extremely aggressive and it being that size will most likely be a large dominant female.

taylor t · 07/14/2014, 06:02 PM

The only way it would work is to put a plastic divider in the tank. Make sure to drill holes in the divider so water can flow, but no fish can go from side to side. A friend of mine does this with his tank so he can keep a couple pairs in the same "tank".

CoralsAddiction · 07/14/2014, 06:09 PM

I get the temptation. Clowns are fun to watch. However, I would stick to what you already have.

arashsheikhpoor · 07/14/2014, 07:42 PM

Definitely don't get the maroon if you have two other clownfish. Like everyone else said they are extremely aggressive. . It was a nightmare trying to get the male GSM in the same tank as the female. His fins were all tattered and I had to medicate it. After they paired up they left all the fish alone unless they were near their anemone but my hand was attacked every time it was in the tank.

TheSWHobbyist · 07/15/2014, 05:52 PM

Thanks everyone who replied. I decided to just buy the anemone and not the clownfish, I don't want any fighting going on.

SwampyBill · 07/15/2014, 08:36 PM

Wise decision...Now the fun will be getting your existing clowns to go into their new 'condo'. Good luck!

ClownFish0322 · 08/30/2014, 09:20 AM

Yes I agree with the decision in the future if your ever wanting more clowns make sure their the same species one is slightly bigger then the rest you get them at the same time and they are never separated. Also you may have to sell your current pair if you ever want more then two

07/14/2014, 12:51 PM	#1
TheSWHobbyist Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 15	Adding a 3rd clownfish. good or Bad? So I have had my 75 gallon tank for a little less than a year now and the first fish I bought were 2 clownfish. So in total I have 2 clowns, 1 yellow tang, 1 Banggai cardinal, 1 manderin fish, and 1 blue green Chromis. I found a good deal on Kijiji, he is selling a maroon clownfish and his anemone, he sent really good pictures of the clown hosting in the anemone and the clown he said was around 3 and a half inches long. So I was wondering if I would be able to add the maroon clownfish with my other clowns. My clowns are about 1 and a half to 2 inches long. I have heard a lot about that maroon clowns are very aggressive and will take over anemone homes and territory but if I put the clown into the tank already with his hosting anemone will he still want to fight for territory?? And won't my clowns be to scared to fight the larger clown so in the end the all will be at their own spot?

07/14/2014, 01:11 PM	#2
justinky Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Nicholasville, KY Posts: 636	It's not going to work out well. __________________ 42 by 24 by 18 Starphire SPS dominated

07/14/2014, 01:33 PM	#3
olemiss reb Molon Labe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,550	Thunderdome. ETA- for those not old enough for the reference- the outcome will not be pretty. __________________ secesh

07/14/2014, 01:35 PM	#4
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	No. Only 2 clowns per tank. Adding that 3rd clown will be it's death sentence. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

07/14/2014, 05:21 PM	#5
organism code monkey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: south bay Posts: 6,223	I think the options aren't "good or bad" as much as "bad or worse." __________________ I don't always grow frags... but when I do, I prefer Dos Acros

07/14/2014, 05:26 PM	#6
planedoc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 535	As long as your main goal is to lower the cost of feeding your fish than it will be fine.

07/14/2014, 05:39 PM	#8
Nc208082 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1	Adding the maroon clown will result in your two current clowns deaths. Maroons are extremely aggressive and it being that size will most likely be a large dominant female. __________________ 82g(30x30x21) BB Mixed Reef - 30g sump, Mag 12 return w 3/4 Sea Swirl, 2 Vortech MP10's, a Korallia Nano and 750, Maxspect Razor 16k 27", SWC bmk 150 skimmer.

07/14/2014, 06:02 PM	#9
taylor t Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Naperville, Il Posts: 2,396	The only way it would work is to put a plastic divider in the tank. Make sure to drill holes in the divider so water can flow, but no fish can go from side to side. A friend of mine does this with his tank so he can keep a couple pairs in the same "tank".

07/14/2014, 06:09 PM	#10
CoralsAddiction Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: L.A./Tahoe Posts: 6,003	Adding a 3rd clownfish. good or Bad? I get the temptation. Clowns are fun to watch. However, I would stick to what you already have.

07/14/2014, 07:42 PM	#11
arashsheikhpoor Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: woodland hills Posts: 918	Definitely don't get the maroon if you have two other clownfish. Like everyone else said they are extremely aggressive. . It was a nightmare trying to get the male GSM in the same tank as the female. His fins were all tattered and I had to medicate it. After they paired up they left all the fish alone unless they were near their anemone but my hand was attacked every time it was in the tank.

07/15/2014, 05:52 PM	#12
TheSWHobbyist Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 15	Thanks everyone who replied. I decided to just buy the anemone and not the clownfish, I don't want any fighting going on.

07/15/2014, 08:36 PM	#13
SwampyBill Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: St. Pete, FL. Posts: 2,369	Wise decision...Now the fun will be getting your existing clowns to go into their new 'condo'. Good luck! __________________ I love me some wrasse... & laissez les bon temps rouler! Current Tank Info: 120 gal Vizio

08/30/2014, 09:20 AM	#14
ClownFish0322 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 18	Yes I agree with the decision in the future if your ever wanting more clowns make sure their the same species one is slightly bigger then the rest you get them at the same time and they are never separated. Also you may have to sell your current pair if you ever want more then two