Clownfish Compatibility

TTSupra · 10/13/2007, 02:09 PM

Well, I've had a small oscellaris (spelling?) for a good while now, and today I received a medium sized tomato clown as a gift.

I've been told mixed things. One was that they would not get along. The other was that a tomato should be fine, and it's the maroon clown that is aggressive.

There is no anemone currently in the tank for the tomato, but the other clown has hosted a small carpet anemone.

Should I be worried? The tomato is currently bagged with a small (smaller than a quarter) sized yellow tale demsel, and they're not being aggressive towards each other at all.

Aquarist007 · 10/13/2007, 02:27 PM

you should be quarantining these new fish? then you will be able to tell better.
They are under stress in the bag---put them in a reef situation for a bit--then they become a little more territorial and relaxed---bottom line you can't tell by them being in a bag together.
Its some damsels and clowns that don't mix---I have a zebra striped damsel--it simply won't allow me to put a clown in the tank.
The yellow tale damsel could be a problem when it gets bigger--reconsider that factor now while you can

JENnKerry · 10/13/2007, 06:51 PM

I think you might be asking for trouble with the tomato clown. They can be one of the most aggressive, most territorial, nastiest S.O.B's that you could ever think about putting in your tank.

Aquarist007 · 10/13/2007, 07:09 PM

Lol--I thought the LFS store was kidding when they told me to put a tomato in the tank with the zebra damsel and it would take care of the damsel for me.

Dingo Dog · 10/14/2007, 11:13 AM

After 3 years at this, I've learned there is no perfect answer to your question. Even within a particular species there are always exceptions to behavior. A species will have its traits but that's not a guarantee. It's any one's guess really. Ideally, both fish would be put in the tank at the same time avoiding some of the 'territorial' issues. Best of luck on this.

Rewd · 10/14/2007, 11:57 AM

I was given a tomato clown a few months back. Had it with my two ocellaris for a few weeks. At first there was no aggression but eventually I started to see torn fins on both sides. I never actually saw them fighting but I can only assume they were going at it since no one else in the tank was showing any signs of wear. Needless to say that tomato went to a better home and I still have my ocellaris.

catfisher · 10/14/2007, 12:02 PM

I have a Cinnamon and a False Perc together in a 55 reef. They don't like each other but keep their distance. The Cinnamon chased the false perc for awhile but eventually gave up. The Cinnamon hogs 2 BTA's and won't share...

10/13/2007, 02:09 PM	#1
TTSupra Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 229	Clownfish Compatibility Well, I've had a small oscellaris (spelling?) for a good while now, and today I received a medium sized tomato clown as a gift. I've been told mixed things. One was that they would not get along. The other was that a tomato should be fine, and it's the maroon clown that is aggressive. There is no anemone currently in the tank for the tomato, but the other clown has hosted a small carpet anemone. Should I be worried? The tomato is currently bagged with a small (smaller than a quarter) sized yellow tale demsel, and they're not being aggressive towards each other at all.

10/13/2007, 02:27 PM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	you should be quarantining these new fish? then you will be able to tell better. They are under stress in the bag---put them in a reef situation for a bit--then they become a little more territorial and relaxed---bottom line you can't tell by them being in a bag together. Its some damsels and clowns that don't mix---I have a zebra striped damsel--it simply won't allow me to put a clown in the tank. The yellow tale damsel could be a problem when it gets bigger--reconsider that factor now while you can __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

10/13/2007, 06:51 PM	#3
JENnKerry Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Jersey Posts: 7,384	I think you might be asking for trouble with the tomato clown. They can be one of the most aggressive, most territorial, nastiest S.O.B's that you could ever think about putting in your tank. __________________ We Don't Have a Signature..... Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon Reef

10/13/2007, 07:09 PM	#4
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	Lol--I thought the LFS store was kidding when they told me to put a tomato in the tank with the zebra damsel and it would take care of the damsel for me. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

10/14/2007, 12:02 PM	#7
catfisher Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 527	I have a Cinnamon and a False Perc together in a 55 reef. They don't like each other but keep their distance. The Cinnamon chased the false perc for awhile but eventually gave up. The Cinnamon hogs 2 BTA's and won't share... __________________ Current Tank- 90 Gallon mixed reef, 20 Gallon Sump. Evergrow WiFi Black boxes, JBJ ATO, TLF Reactor w/GFO, Reef Octopus NWB110 Skimmer. Coral- Red Lobo, Orange Blast Acan, Frogspawn, Hammer, War, Ac

10/14/2007, 11:13 AM	#5
Dingo Dog Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: TEXAS Posts: 432	After 3 years at this, I've learned there is no perfect answer to your question. Even within a particular species there are always exceptions to behavior. A species will have its traits but that's not a guarantee. It's any one's guess really. Ideally, both fish would be put in the tank at the same time avoiding some of the 'territorial' issues. Best of luck on this.

10/14/2007, 11:57 AM	#6
Rewd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: PA Posts: 324	I was given a tomato clown a few months back. Had it with my two ocellaris for a few weeks. At first there was no aggression but eventually I started to see torn fins on both sides. I never actually saw them fighting but I can only assume they were going at it since no one else in the tank was showing any signs of wear. Needless to say that tomato went to a better home and I still have my ocellaris.