Adding a second clown question..

[tmac18]

Ok, so in my 20 long tank I'll like to add a second clown. Tank has been up for about 8 months. I currently have 1 true perc clown about inch to inch and a half big, 1 firefish and 1 small lawnmower blenny. Along with a few snails, and Hermits. I recently got a bta but clown hasn't paid now attention to it. It's ok tho cause in my 65 gallon my ocellaris and bta are best of friends. Any way I'd like to get another clown for my 20 long. I know by now the perc in my 20 long is prolly female cause it's been by itself for 6 months now. (Right?) So if I get a smaller clown the chances of it being male are good. (Right?) And my next question is should I stick with a perc or can I get an ocellaris? I'm sure I can't get a small maroon clown right? I'd like some advice. Thanks!

 

[143MPCo]

@eatbreakfast, @melypr1985 , @4FordFamily are some of the resident fish experts, they should have some insight on this one.

 

[BoneXriffic]

You want to get a bigger clown, in my experience if you add a smaller clown at a later date your resident one can be mean or even kill it

 

[eatbreakfast]

Your current female is most likely a female by now, and will fight with any female introduced to her. Your best bet would ve to go to an LFS and visually pick out a male from a tank with an existing female, to ensure you get a male.

Even though you have a perc, you could add an occellaris, they will pr up.

I suggest using an acclimation box and placing it near your female for a couple of hrs to minimize any potential aggression.

 

[tmac18]

My lfs gets clowns in all the time but they fly off the shelves. Lol he has a few very small percs all the time but never with a bunch a clowns. It would be an educated guess that it's a male. I do love how my perc looks rather than my ocellaris in my 65. But percs seem harder to take to a bta.

 

[eatbreakfast]

My lfs gets clowns in all the time but they fly off the shelves. Lol he has a few very small percs all the time but never with a bunch a clowns. It would be an educated guess that it's a male. I do love how my perc looks rather than my ocellaris in my 65. But percs seem harder to take to a bta.

In that case, try to get the smallest possible.

 

[tmac18]

Ok, ty very much.

 

[tmac18]

Had to show off my ocellaris:-)

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree with what was already said. Try a very small clown. Unfortunately, collateral damage comes with the territory when adding clowns to existing. Hopefully you don't lose him!

 

[michellejy]

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to quarantine your new clown. I had my ocellaris for 7 1/2 years, and I added a juvenile without quarantine immediately out of fear that it would turn female if left alone. He gave my clown brook and killed her before I knew what was happening. I would just hate to see anyone else go through that.

 

[melypr1985]

I concur with the others here. Get the smallest clown possible and watch carefully as they interact to make sure they arn't locking jaws and fighting viciously. A little dominating is normal and you'll want to look for the "shimmy" from the smaller clown.

Never add a larger clown to an established clown that has been on it's own. That's just asking for trouble.

 

[tmac18]

Thanks for all the info!! I was on the right track.