Clownfish fighting…add more?

[Eric19]

My 6 year old clownfish just lost his mate of about 5 years. I love clownfish (many here hate them but, ya know, to each his own) and I missed seeing a pair in the tank. So I bought a new pair, said a little prayer, and added them. The old guy doesn’t actually have a problem with the new ones, but one of the new ones is picking on the other. They’ve been in the tank about 2 weeks. Nothing crazy, he just chases him when he sees him. They’re all eating and no injuries to date. I talked to my LFS - a pretty reputable place that’s been in business for decades - who suggested adding another pair to disseminate the aggression. I know the general thinking is 2 clowns per tank, but obviously there are many tanks with more than that. Any thoughts on the LFS suggestion?

 

[fishywishy]

How big is the tank? This isn’t going to end well IMO, either the new pair are going to both going become male and become aggressive with each other, or one of the new clowns is going to turn female and the old female and new female are going to start to fight. I think the best thing to do is just remove one of the new ones and hope the old clown pairs again.

The LFS is just trying to sell you more fish, adding another pair is going to make it a lot worse.

 

[Eric19]

Ok thanks. Display tank is 90G

 

[vetteguy53081]

My 6 year old clownfish just lost his mate of about 5 years. I love clownfish (many here hate them but, ya know, to each his own) and I missed seeing a pair in the tank. So I bought a new pair, said a little prayer, and added them. The old guy doesn’t actually have a problem with the new ones, but one of the new ones is picking on the other. They’ve been in the tank about 2 weeks. Nothing crazy, he just chases him when he sees him. They’re all eating and no injuries to date. I talked to my LFS - a pretty reputable place that’s been in business for decades - who suggested adding another pair to disseminate the aggression. I know the general thinking is 2 clowns per tank, but obviously there are many tanks with more than that. Any thoughts on the LFS suggestion?

This is not a tank size issue but rather a hierarchy which many clowns possess and will claim territory, hog the food, chase another fish and even bite at it. Often you have to isolate aggressor and hope it settles down when applicable.

 

[H4Stewart]

It might sound crazy, but I have 8 of them (2 from original 13.5 EVO) other six came same tank at LFS. They seem to be dancing together and my tank has tons of hiding places. It actually hard to count them.

 

[Tamberav]

It might sound crazy, but I have 8 of them (2 from original 13.5 EVO) other six came same tank at LFS. They seem to be dancing together and my tank has tons of hiding places. It actually hard to count them.

How long have they been together?

 

[Tahoe61]

My 6 year old clownfish just lost his mate of about 5 years. I love clownfish (many here hate them but, ya know, to each his own) and I missed seeing a pair in the tank. So I bought a new pair, said a little prayer, and added them. The old guy doesn’t actually have a problem with the new ones, but one of the new ones is picking on the other. They’ve been in the tank about 2 weeks. Nothing crazy, he just chases him when he sees him. They’re all eating and no injuries to date. I talked to my LFS - a pretty reputable place that’s been in business for decades - who suggested adding another pair to disseminate the aggression. I know the general thinking is 2 clowns per tank, but obviously there are many tanks with more than that. Any thoughts on the LFS suggestion?

I am sorry that doesn't even begin to sound right.
Are you quarantinning new clownfish additions?
There is already aggression issues so add more aggression?
The LFS is recommending buying more fish, what could go wrong?

It's not unheard of to have multiple clowns in larger tanks, but not in that haphazard way.

 

[H4Stewart]

How long have they been together?

Well the initial 2 have been with me since late may, and I saw the other 6 in store for a week and had them in new tank since last weekend. One of customers has a lot of clowns and and recomended that if you want more than 2 than place them in even number at one time and don't add more later

I have tons of hiding spaces which makes it hard to count them. They seem to team up in different areas and no issues. I keep them all the same breed and color. I know some of them are not as peaceful.

 

[Tamberav]

Well the initial 2 have been with me since late may, and I saw the other 6 in store for a week and had them in new tank since last weekend. One of customers has a lot of clowns and and recomended that if you want more than 2 than place them in even number at one time and don't add more later

I have tons of hiding spaces which makes it hard to count them. They seem to team up in different areas and no issues. I keep them all the same breed and color. I know some of them are not as peaceful.

No offense but that is not long enough to know if it will work out. Clowns live about 30 years and they don’t become hellish jerks until they start spawning which typically takes a few years for the female to mature.

 

[happyhourhero]

I have 4 in my 150. The newest pair hosted my nems right away which made my 2 year old pair finally host too. Now there is pretty much one clown per nem (I have too many splits) and sometimes they all are together and sometimes the newest male will chill with the old female while the others just hang out. I can’t figure them out but the aggression I see is limited to short chases and posturing.

 

[H4Stewart]

I have 4 in my 150. The newest pair hosted my nems right away which made my 2 year old pair finally host too. Now there is pretty much one clown per nem (I have too many splits) and sometimes they all are together and sometimes the newest male will chill with the old female while the others just hang out. I can’t figure them out but the aggression I see is limited to short chases and posturing.

Mine have short chases but because of rock arrangement they seem stay in group usually in the back.
My biggest issue is that it hard to count them

 

[H4Stewart]

No offense but that is not long enough to know if it will work out. Clowns live about 30 years and they don’t become hellish jerks until they start spawning which typically takes a few years for the female to mature.

Yes but I made sure they were already group 2 original and 6 in store. I just have to see but they are cheap and good way to start it.