Multiple Clowns

bpoore89 · 01/15/2009, 05:59 PM

I have had my 55 reef with two clowns for over two years now. I also have a nano that holds two clowns. Everything I have ever read (theres even a sticky for it) says that anymore than two clowns and they will fight for dominance. It makes sense to me, but I have seen threads and pictures of tanks where people have more than two clowns. Some are tanks that are very large which may play a factor but some that look no bigger than mine. What are your opinions on multiple clowns, bio load not being a factor.

lb013 · 01/15/2009, 06:29 PM

Are they different types of clowns? I tried with a pair of Maroon's and a pair of tomato's in my tank and they fought all the time. I ended up giving a pair away. Also, they were all added to the tank at the same time thinking this might help but nope. I don't know if they were all the same type of clown if the outcome would be better. Hopefully you might have better luck.

davocean · 01/15/2009, 06:31 PM

Almost always a bad idea, like the sticky says.
Multiple you see may be from the same brood, or people that ignore and have short term success until they mature, or like you said, HUGE tanks.
Moberts thread is my fav for multiple from same brood, "27 clowns same tank for 27mo"

InsaneClownFish · 01/15/2009, 06:42 PM

Well, there are several things to consider. Some people may have multiple clowns and there is stress, chasing, or just plain random luck involved.

That being said multiple clowns can be done with careful planning, and I think that most of the systems you refer to are probably falling into this category.

In my conversations with Rod Buehler, the best number to try to keep multiple clowns is 7+ in odd numbers. They should all be added simultaneously and when small. The more you reduce this number- 5, 3 for example, the less likely you are to be successful- IE the more likely you will have outcasts.

Clowns will naturally have a 25-30 gallon area around which they will "defend." Your 55 gallon tank precludes more clowns by this fact alone. The fact that you have a pair of mature clowns for over two years means you shouldn't try to add more.

IMHO you have four options here:
A. Enjoy the healthy and mature clowns you already have.
B. Set up another tank for new clowns.
C. If you wanted to add more clowns, the proper way to do it would be to set up a new system that is significantly larger than your own(The longer the better). There would be new rockwork, and hence new territory. Add 7-9 smaller clowns of the same type, or of a different type. If I can guess correctly, the 2 larger ones should stick to themselves, while the other clowns will most likely stay in a different "zone" in the tank.
D. Remove the clowns you already have and add no more than....hmm I would say 5 small clowns(dependent on your current bioload). Probably with an eye to a larger tank in the future.

I would also consult the folks in the Clownfish and Anemone section here on RC. There are far wiser folks than I there when it comes to clownfish. Hope this helps.

InsaneClownFish · 01/15/2009, 06:44 PM

davocean makes and excellent point that I did not touch upon- you will have far greater success if they are from the same brood.

bpoore89 · 01/15/2009, 06:44 PM

Thanks guys. I already have the other set in my nano and they seem happy so thats the way im going to leave it. Thanks for your input

InsaneClownFish · 01/15/2009, 06:57 PM

Good luck with your clowns!

spamreefnew · 01/15/2009, 07:00 PM

i have 3 from the same brood(black false percs),,2 stay in one bta and 1 stays in its own bta. this is the first time i have ever had more than 2 get along for more than a year.

01/15/2009, 05:59 PM	#1
bpoore89 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North East, Maryland Posts: 560	Multiple Clowns I have had my 55 reef with two clowns for over two years now. I also have a nano that holds two clowns. Everything I have ever read (theres even a sticky for it) says that anymore than two clowns and they will fight for dominance. It makes sense to me, but I have seen threads and pictures of tanks where people have more than two clowns. Some are tanks that are very large which may play a factor but some that look no bigger than mine. What are your opinions on multiple clowns, bio load not being a factor.

01/15/2009, 06:31 PM	#3
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Almost always a bad idea, like the sticky says. Multiple you see may be from the same brood, or people that ignore and have short term success until they mature, or like you said, HUGE tanks. Moberts thread is my fav for multiple from same brood, "27 clowns same tank for 27mo" __________________ 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

01/15/2009, 06:42 PM	#4
InsaneClownFish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,069	Well, there are several things to consider. Some people may have multiple clowns and there is stress, chasing, or just plain random luck involved. That being said multiple clowns can be done with careful planning, and I think that most of the systems you refer to are probably falling into this category. In my conversations with Rod Buehler, the best number to try to keep multiple clowns is 7+ in odd numbers. They should all be added simultaneously and when small. The more you reduce this number- 5, 3 for example, the less likely you are to be successful- IE the more likely you will have outcasts. Clowns will naturally have a 25-30 gallon area around which they will "defend." Your 55 gallon tank precludes more clowns by this fact alone. The fact that you have a pair of mature clowns for over two years means you shouldn't try to add more. IMHO you have four options here: A. Enjoy the healthy and mature clowns you already have. B. Set up another tank for new clowns. C. If you wanted to add more clowns, the proper way to do it would be to set up a new system that is significantly larger than your own(The longer the better). There would be new rockwork, and hence new territory. Add 7-9 smaller clowns of the same type, or of a different type. If I can guess correctly, the 2 larger ones should stick to themselves, while the other clowns will most likely stay in a different "zone" in the tank. D. Remove the clowns you already have and add no more than....hmm I would say 5 small clowns(dependent on your current bioload). Probably with an eye to a larger tank in the future. I would also consult the folks in the Clownfish and Anemone section here on RC. There are far wiser folks than I there when it comes to clownfish. Hope this helps. __________________ 7 Years Reefing and Many Fresh 8 Foot Envisions

01/15/2009, 06:44 PM	#5
InsaneClownFish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,069	davocean makes and excellent point that I did not touch upon- you will have far greater success if they are from the same brood. __________________ 7 Years Reefing and Many Fresh 8 Foot Envisions

01/15/2009, 06:44 PM	#6
bpoore89 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North East, Maryland Posts: 560	Thanks guys. I already have the other set in my nano and they seem happy so thats the way im going to leave it. Thanks for your input __________________ -- Bill Current Tank Info: 220g Sps Dominated, 40Br Agressive, 40Br Clam tank, 55g Sump

01/15/2009, 06:29 PM	#2
lb013 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PA Posts: 83	Are they different types of clowns? I tried with a pair of Maroon's and a pair of tomato's in my tank and they fought all the time. I ended up giving a pair away. Also, they were all added to the tank at the same time thinking this might help but nope. I don't know if they were all the same type of clown if the outcome would be better. Hopefully you might have better luck.

01/15/2009, 06:57 PM	#7
InsaneClownFish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,069	Good luck with your clowns! __________________ 7 Years Reefing and Many Fresh 8 Foot Envisions

01/15/2009, 07:00 PM	#8
spamreefnew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: rhodeisland Posts: 1,491	i have 3 from the same brood(black false percs),,2 stay in one bta and 1 stays in its own bta. this is the first time i have ever had more than 2 get along for more than a year.