Clownfish Won't Play Nice

[Dom]

I have two tomato clowns which I've owned for about 5 years. They are in a display tank of 15 gallons and the total water volume is about 30 gallons when you count the sump and refugium.

Since the new year, I have tried adding a Valentino puffer, only to have it killed buy the clowns. I realize it was a territory issue, so, I removed all of my LR, leveled my sand bed and then placed the LR back in the tank with ANOTHER Valentino. My thinking: eliminate the landmarks the clowns use to identify their territory, leaving them to reestablish their territory with the puffer already there. But no luck; they killed off the second puffer.

For a while I thought it may be water quality, but ruled it out.

Recently, I added two damsels. Hearty and feisty, I thought they would give the clowns a run for their money. The next morning, one was gone, I'm guessing dead among the LR and a meal for the snails and crabs. The second one was dead two days later.

Am I destined to have only these two Clowns in my tank?

I'm planning a 75g build and want them to be part of it, but not if they are going to keep killing everything I put in. Thoughts?

 

[DeniseAndy]

That small of a tank no other fish will survive with a pair of tomato clowns that age. They have paired up and will be very territorial. Planning a 75g you may be able to get other fish introduced, but do the others prior to the clowns.

I say this from experience. I had a pair of oce. in a 28g. Upgraded to a 210g. Moved the clowns over and began adding my other fish. Well, that went horrible and the clowns took over the whole 210g. So, I sold them to a person wanting a breeding pair and then was able to stock my tank.

Now, if they are hosted by something like a nem, it will be easier as they do not usually stray far from their host.

 

[Webslinger]

Tomato clowns are vary territorial nothing will survive in a 15G with them. You will need to keep aggressive fish in your 75G with them. And add the clowns last.