Thoughts on multiple clownfish

ridgeburyreefer · Jan 25, 2021

Backstory- I’ve set up my first saltwater tank, it is currently cycling, plenty of live rock, open space, and hiding space. I have won two “grade A” clownfish and also 5 baby clownfish (slightly smaller) of random picking. They will be sent to me when I’m ready for them.
I had intended on the two grade A being my first fish and only clowns, but then won the babies and it has me wondering things. My intent with this tank wasn’t to have a lot of fish, a few w mostly coral and inverts. However, it would look nice with numerous clowns (not same batch presumably but related) in a tank (7)

Would it be possible to introduce them all together and have peace?
Are their things I could do to amplify a peaceful clan? Or is this a bad idea that ends in death for someone in the group? I’d be ok with getting multiple anemone but there would be an odd man out with 7 fish.

What are your experiences with similar scenarios? I’ve watched harem videos but recognize this isn’t the same as their aren’t nearly as many fish involved.

Reef GE · Jan 25, 2021

I have (5) ocellaris and (2) black saddlebacks in a 150g. All were added at the same time. All were young and from the same batches when I purchased them.

The two saddlebacks have paired up and grown significantly. The (5) ocellaris are always together and to date show no aggression between them.

Disclaimer: They are not yet fully grown.

My understanding is that one (the largest?) will become female and eventually pair off with onemale. Supposedly, the remaining three will remain in a subordinate position.

This is how I've understood anything I've read on the matter. Of course, experience itself will confirm or reject the above theory.

(I have a VERY LARGE ocellaris in another tank that I've thought about adding to the DT, but pretty sure she would tear up the little clowns in a heartbeat...or at least the dominate clown in the batch).

Reef GE · Jan 25, 2021

Reef GE said:
I have (5) ocellaris and (2) black saddlebacks in a 150g. All were added at the same time. All were young and from the same batches when I purchased them.

The two saddlebacks have paired up and grown significantly. The (5) ocellaris are always together and to date show no aggression between them.

Disclaimer: They are not yet fully grown.

My understanding is that one (the largest?) will become female and eventually pair off with onemale. Supposedly, the remaining three will remain in a subordinate position.

This is how I've understood anything I've read on the matter. Of course, experience itself will confirm or reject the above theory.

(I have a VERY LARGE ocellaris in another tank that I've thought about adding to the DT, but pretty sure she would tear up the little clowns in a heartbeat...or at least the dominate clown in the batch).

I should add that I have plenty of space in my DT for the clowns to spread out. Plus several leather corals that they host. In a smaller tank, I'm not so sure there would be harmony.

I have a 2nd tank with two clowns and added a 3rd a couple weeks ago as an experiment. They would have killed him if I hadn't stepped in to rescue him. I was amazed how vicious those cute little clowns can get.

ridgeburyreefer · Jan 25, 2021

Reef GE said:
I should add that I have plenty of space in my DT for the clowns to spread out. Plus several leather corals that they host. In a smaller tank, I'm not so sure there would be harmony.

I have a 2nd tank with two clowns and added a 3rd a couple weeks ago as an experiment. They would have killed him if I hadn't stepped in to rescue him. I was amazed how vicious those cute little clowns can get.

Great input here and above! Are said clowns in the above post able to host anything?

Reef GE · Jan 26, 2021

ridgeburyreefer said:
Great input here and above! Are said clowns in the above post able to host anything?

The saddlebacks host leather carpets. Some other saddlebacks (in another tank) host a carpet anemone. The orange ocellaris hang out in the top corner of the tank for some reason.

DaddyFish · Jan 26, 2021

Reef GE said:
The saddlebacks host leather carpets. Some other saddlebacks (in another tank) host a carpet anemone. The orange ocellaris hang out in the top corner of the tank for some reason.

O-clowns readily adopt one area of the tank. I call it Clown Corner. There's no human logic for the selection criteria.

You could mix with a pair of Maroon Clowns and hope for the best. But IMO with 5+ clowns to start, you're likely to end up with three and some bodies unless you mix species.

ridgeburyreefer · Jan 26, 2021

DaddyFish said:
O-clowns readily adopt one area of the tank. I call it Clown Corner. There's no human logic for the selection criteria.

You could mix with a pair of Maroon Clowns and hope for the best. But IMO with 5+ clowns to start, you're likely to end up with three and some bodies unless you mix species.

I guess I was asking about hosting in a group scenario, feeling that maybe given something to host good be bad.