4 clownfish in a 90?

PghReef · Nov 3, 2020

I'm still a couple months away from adding fish but trying to get my fishlist together. I have 2 clowns, either percula or occie not 100%, in a 46 bowfront. The big female is my original purchase from 7 years ago and the male is a replacement bought about 3 years ago. Both tank raised and been paired for last 3 years. The female sometimes bites my hand but foe the most part they hang in 1 spot and keep to themselves.

I rescued another pair of clowns about 2 years ago from a coworker who was moving. They've been loving in a frag tank in the basement as I didnt dare put them with the others in a 3 dot 46 gallon. They're also either percs or occurs, 1 regular and 1 snowflake. The original owner had them a couple years and said they were nano. clownfish that wont get full size. They are still the size of juvies even after me having them in a 29 for 2 years.

Can i put all 4 into the 90gallon? Maybe add the smaller guys 1st so they can establish territory and then add my other fish like my tomini, dwarf angel, and regal blue tang before adding the 2 larger clowns?

Mical · Nov 3, 2020

I wouldn't. Clowns are VERY territorial even in a 90 you're risking losing 2. The ONLY time I've seen anyone successful keeping more than 2 clowns in a tank is when they're from the same brood.

James M · Nov 3, 2020

That wouldn’t work as they are already an established pair

Sailfin11 · Nov 3, 2020

I wouldn't recommend it either. I've kept two pairs of clowns on opposite sides of divided tank and the females would constantly try to fight through the egg-crate. I can only imagine they would have killed each other. I've seen some people have success with a harem of 10+ clowns in tanks your size though.

PghReef · Nov 3, 2020

Mical said:
I wouldn't. Clowns are VERY territorial even in a 90 you're risking losing 2. The ONLY time I've seen anyone successful keeping more than 2 clowns in a tank is when they're from the same brood.

That's what ive read but then i read a lot of post where people said percula and occies are usually much more successfully kept in groups then other clown species. I do plan on adding some springeri damsels as well.

PghReef · Nov 3, 2020

Just torn I like the snowflake pattern and if they do stay smaller they're kinda nice. Less bioload too.
But my big girl is my 1st saltwater purchase so cant just toss them aside.