Clownfish Behavior

[Eric1493]

Sorry if this is not the correct place to post this question.

I am a complete newb to reefing and am preparing to buy my first clownfish pair. After asking the guy at the LFS, he said his clownfish are in "broods" and not pairs. Is it safe to randomly pick 2 clownfish from this brood and pair them together? He said they were 2-3 inches, which is, to my knowledge, adult size. Would 2 random clowns not fight and kill each other, as they are adults and have established genders?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Hugh Mann]

I could very well be wrong about this, however I believe clowns can be kept in large groups because the aggression gets spread out among all of them, meanwhile kept in a pair, violence is directed at a single fish.

You'll want a substantial size difference between your clowns.

Again, could be wrong, but that's why other fish like anthias or Chromis can be kept as singles or large groups.

 

[Eric1493]

I could very well be wrong about this, however I believe clowns can be kept in large groups because the aggression gets spread out among all of them, meanwhile kept in a pair, violence is directed at a single fish.

You'll want a substantial size difference between your clowns.

Again, could be wrong, but that's why other fish like anthias or Chromis can be kept as singles or large groups.

Thank you for your reply! I later asked the owner and he said it would be best to pick out a big one and a small one, so I think I'll listen to your advice.

 

[Hugh Mann]

You're welcome, that's the best way, big one and small one. I do hope you enjoy your clowns and best of luck!

PS: clownfish have super weird behaviors, don't be surprised if they do something seemingly strange like jamming themselves into a corner, behind a heater or anything like that.

 

[Eric1493]

Thank you! Lol, I've seen the videos on here, on one hand, I think I've seen it all, on the other I know my clowns will do something weirder.