How do you introduce clownfish to pair up

[DEE’S reef]

So some back story I have a percula that’s a few years old that I was given and now I have one in quarantine and in a week or so I should be adding it to the main tank what should I do to make it so they have the best chance to pair up and not kill the new clown fish.

 

[Idoc]

Make sure the new one you are adding is much smaller than the current clown inhabitant. If the one you already have has already converted to female and you add a larger clown that could be female as well, they will fight. Adding a smaller clown gives a better chance that it is still male and they will pair up. But, the bigger one is still going to be a bit brutal upon introduction... Clowns are just mean.

 

[exnisstech]

When I pair mine I buy the smallest least aggressive fish in a group to assure it is still male and use an acclimation box to introduce the new one. This has worked for ocelaris and I paired my female maroon twice after her first mate died.

 

[DEE’S reef]

The clown I’m adding is smaller

 

[vetteguy53081]

So some back story I have a percula that’s a few years old that I was given and now I have one in quarantine and in a week or so I should be adding it to the main tank what should I do to make it so they have the best chance to pair up and not kill the new clown fish.

For best success and what I did was adding 14 at one time and ended up with 5 breeding pairs. Sold 2 pairs and still have 4 pair. You can even start with 3-5.

 

[DEE’S reef]

So here’s the big one that in the main tank

 

[DEE’S reef]

Here’s the small one in quarantine

 

[DEE’S reef]

When I pair mine I buy the smallest least aggressive fish in a group to assure it is still male and use an acclimation box to introduce the new one. This has worked for ocelaris and I paired my female maroon twice after her first mate died.

So my original plain before I was given the percula was to lighting maroons they were paired but they ended up dying in quarantine after a week or so.

 

[DEE’S reef]

When I pair mine I buy the smallest least aggressive fish in a group to assure it is still male and use an acclimation box to introduce the new one. This has worked for ocelaris and I paired my female maroon twice after her first mate died.

Should I also use a acclimation box for the first day or so when I introduce them.

 

[exnisstech]

Should I also use a acclimation box for the first day or so when I introduce them.

That's when I use the box, when introducing the new one. I usually leave mine in for a week or so and place the box near the females section of the tank if she's has claimed an area. If the female is spending a lot of time near the box and the male does his wiggle submission dance I may release him sooner. There still could be some squabbling but that's how it goes when pairing clowns. I've had female kill male before so I don't like to just toss two in and let them figure it out like most LFS tell people to do.

 

[DEE’S reef]

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=breeder+box+for+fish+tank This is what I was thinking for a acclimation box

 

[DEE’S reef]

So I think tomorrow the day I introduce the clown should I throw the clown in the tank or use a acclimation box / breeder box

 

[chip shop]

there will generally be a bit of fighting either way you’ll probably find male might hide out in rocks for a while and get chased every time he comes out,give it a few days and normally there ok if not I’d remove female and re introduce to tank

 

[DEE’S reef]

So the bigger ones already in the tank I think it’s female and the smaller one will be introduce tomorrow I think it’s male but should I put in my acclimation box or just realize him

 

[chip shop]

I’d just float bag in the tank and she will come up.let it get to temp of tank and then release him they will definitely bicker but see if it cools down after a couple of days

 

[chip shop]

It’s juvenile or male but will turn male if larger female is in tank,just have to keep an eye on how they are after a few days