Compatability

Cbravo212 · 03/17/2009, 08:04 PM

I get confused as heck everytime I look at a compatibility chart to find out which fish I can keep. I have had two O. clowns for a couple of months now. I do not think (know) if they are a mated pair. They are still pretty much the same size. Neither has stepped up to get bigger (if that is even what they do).

I just put another clown in today from a friends tank he is breaking down (military move). I also picked up two zebra damsels.

I have heard not to mix different clown species, but what about a third O. clown. Ever since the introduction, the new clown (slightly bigger) seems to be more active in the tank. Actually swimming in and out of the LR. The old clowns had "fun" but never really explored.

Funny thing is one of my existing clowns seem to really like the new clown as they have left the original clown to hang out with the new one.

So queston #1 is will the three clowns be ok in a 40g?

Question # 2 The two zebra damsels really like to hide the the rock work and come out alot. They do not seemed scared and neither the clown or the damsels seem like they care the other is there.

All of the compatibility charts say you can mix the two, but everything I have elsewhere says not to mix the two.

Thanks in advance for helping out a newb.

Mike

reelheel · 03/17/2009, 08:53 PM

Mike, in short, I think you'll be fine. IME the ocellaris are very mild-mannered... there is a slight chance that if two of them really pair up, they might pick on the third a little (more likely treat him like an "outcast") but not enough to really worry about.
Damsels can also increase aggression as they get used to their surroundings and establish territories, but if they aren't being aggressive now, I wouldn't worry about it until they did...
Hope that helps...and welcome to the wonderfully confusing and contradicting world of reefkeeping

Cbravo212 · 03/18/2009, 07:05 AM

Thanks James, that does help and thanks for the welcome.

03/17/2009, 08:53 PM	#2
reelheel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 709	Mike, in short, I think you'll be fine. IME the ocellaris are very mild-mannered... there is a slight chance that if two of them really pair up, they might pick on the third a little (more likely treat him like an "outcast") but not enough to really worry about. Damsels can also increase aggression as they get used to their surroundings and establish territories, but if they aren't being aggressive now, I wouldn't worry about it until they did... Hope that helps...and welcome to the wonderfully confusing and contradicting world of reefkeeping __________________ Life's a Garden....Dig it! James Current Tank Info: 180g

03/18/2009, 07:05 AM	#3
Cbravo212 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tidewater Area, VA Posts: 264	Thanks James, that does help and thanks for the welcome. __________________ -- Mike "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking." - General George Patton Jr Current Tank Info: 38gal, 10 gal sump, 4 gal refugium

03/17/2009, 08:04 PM	#1
Cbravo212 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tidewater Area, VA Posts: 264	Compatability I get confused as heck everytime I look at a compatibility chart to find out which fish I can keep. I have had two O. clowns for a couple of months now. I do not think (know) if they are a mated pair. They are still pretty much the same size. Neither has stepped up to get bigger (if that is even what they do). I just put another clown in today from a friends tank he is breaking down (military move). I also picked up two zebra damsels. I have heard not to mix different clown species, but what about a third O. clown. Ever since the introduction, the new clown (slightly bigger) seems to be more active in the tank. Actually swimming in and out of the LR. The old clowns had "fun" but never really explored. Funny thing is one of my existing clowns seem to really like the new clown as they have left the original clown to hang out with the new one. So queston #1 is will the three clowns be ok in a 40g? Question # 2 The two zebra damsels really like to hide the the rock work and come out alot. They do not seemed scared and neither the clown or the damsels seem like they care the other is there. All of the compatibility charts say you can mix the two, but everything I have elsewhere says not to mix the two. Thanks in advance for helping out a newb. Mike __________________ -- Mike "If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking." - General George Patton Jr Current Tank Info: 38gal, 10 gal sump, 4 gal refugium