Adding a 3 clownfish?

[Epicanimal]

I have a 20 gallon reef tank with a pair of clownfish. Could I add a third clownfish in a month or so. Or should I just add a goby instead?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Goby. In a tank that small the third clownfish would eventually get beaten up by the two that are paired up.

 

[sghera64]

Goby. In a tank that small the third clownfish would eventually get beaten up by the two that are paired up.

+1

If you added two or four more, they might fare better.

 

[Epicanimal]

+1

If you added two or four more, they might fare better.

What do you mean? Like add 2 more?

 

[Crabs McJones]

+1

If you added two or four more, they might fare better.

Yup. In a correctly sized tank this is true
Dont attempt it in a 20 gallon though just stick with the two

 

[Epicanimal]

Yup. In a correctly sized tank this is true
Dont attempt it in a 20 gallon though just stick with the two

Yeah that makes sense. too much fighting. Would it be territory as a reason they would fight?

 

[Maddlesrain]

Yeah that makes sense. too much fighting. Would it be territory as a reason they would fight?

Yeah, fish in aquariums (and in ocean, but on a much broader scale) establish territories, so new editions can be really problematic depending on the temperament of your current fish. It doesn’t mean you couldn’t have multiple clownfish, but since two are already established the odds of a third (or fourth) integrating well are much less likely. The current fish will be worried about food availability and guarding what they’ve already claimed as theirs.

 

[Epicanimal]

Yeah, fish in aquariums (and in ocean, but on a much broader scale) establish territories, so new editions can be really problematic depending on the temperament of your current fish. It doesn’t mean you couldn’t have multiple clownfish, but since two are already established the odds of a third (or fourth) integrating well are much less likely. The current fish will be worried about food availability and guarding what they’ve already claimed as theirs.

Okay makes sense, so if i had gotten 3 when i purchased the pair that could have been fine?

 

[Water Dog]

Okay makes sense, so if i had gotten 3 when i purchased the pair that could have been fine?

No, as said earlier, if you added 3 at the same time, 2 would’ve paired up and the odd clown out would have been bullied to death by the pair.

 

[Maddlesrain]

No, as said earlier, if you added 3 at the same time, 2 would’ve paired up and the odd clown out would have been bullied to death by the pair.

+1
Odd numbers of clowns in such a small quantity aren’t really good for smaller tanks, or most tanks.

 

[Epicanimal]

Thanks for everyone’s help. I am just going to go with a goby for the tank.