We three clowns: Have you had any success keeping more than a pair of clownfish in the same tank?

[Peace River]

We three clowns: Have you had any success keeping more than a pair of clownfish in the same tank?

Conventional wisdom says that the limit on clowns is two for each tank unless they are adolescents, or it is a harem tank. We are told that even the clowns in harem tanks appear to pair off and create issues given enough time. It seems that some clownfish are so aggressive that they should be limited to one per tank! Dominance and aggression are wired into clownfish, and it is part of their design which is connected to their development. Some rules have exceptions that can be broken with care, other rules have exceptions that are worth the risk to break, and other rules shouldn’t be tested. Have you had any success keeping more than a pair of clowns in the same tank? Please share your experience, recommendations, and tips in the related discussion thread!

Photo by @Peace River at Darrell’s Aquarium in Lakeland, Florida


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[CasperOe]

Following! We're planning on a clown harem and will order fish within the next few weeks from the breeder.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Two pairs of skunk clowns in this 10 gallon tank.

(But of course trying to get a picture where all 4 are out is not so easy.)

 

[vlangel]

Some years ago I had a 90 gallon with a mated pair of tomato clowns. Ato, the female was a mean little creature as she would bite me whenever I worked in the tank and also was quite bossy with Tommy her mate. They spawned twice a month for years and years. I decided to attempt to raise baby clowns and actually succeeded in raising 7. I gave all away except 1 that I called Baby. I did not want to keep Baby in a separate tank so moved him to the 90 with his parents. Ato's maternal instincts were sorely lacking and she was brutal to poor Baby at first. Finally Baby decided to hang out in a sinularia as a substitute nem and they lived happily together for more years until caregiver duties became a necessity for me and I sold the tank and rehomed my fish. That is why I voted that I had limited success.

 

[Aparker2005]

Just added a pair to an already established pair in our 125. No issues whatsoever surprisingly. Our established pair we had in the 125 already are lazy and don't seem to care about the new additions.

The pair from our 20g seem to have divorced already lol

 

[randomfishdude]

Idk If you count this but we have a 75gal with a pair of tomatoes that host in a large coral on the left. And then a pair of ocollais that host the right corner.

 

[Troylee]

Currently have 4 with no issues… I also have a large tank but they all hang together in one corner lol..

 

[Arcticwolf]

I have successfully kept these 3 together for many many years now. But I suspect my success is only due to the fact that when I acquired the tank they were in, it was a harem of 12 clowns. 1 was so aggressive, she was being kept in a fish trap. I rehomed whomever I could catch and these were the 3 left. The bullet hole became the female and she gets feisty enough to beat up on smaller fish, but never bothers the little clown. They all 3 share a nem unless she is laying eggs, in which case she and the Darwin kick the little guy out for a few weeks. I also keep them well fed and housed in a tank with at least 65 gal. It has been around 10 years now

 

[MrGisonni]

There are three percula clowns in a 175 gallon school reef in my classroom. They were tiny when another Marine Science teacher put them in there. They never fought but what has happened is the two larger clowns of paired off and the little guy has been banished. I feel bad for him. He seems like a little brother who gets chased away when the older brother has his girlfriend over.

 

[Jasonak]

I have 2 frostbite 2 black clownfish and one misbar all ocellaris. Had a large snowflake but it died about 6 months ago not really sure who the dominate female is now. One frost and one black are both getting bigger. Only the blacks seemed to be paired up.
Theres one BTA lots hammers tank is 330 gallon.

 

[Minifoot77]

I got a 60 cube... started with 14 and im down to 6 so I don't know about success

 

[Swfiend]

I had a mating trio for 10 years, I’ve successfully kept up to 6 pairs in a 120 in the past. The key is having enough hosting area and keeping them well fed

 

[ErikVR]

I've not even kept more than one successfully.
Even with two it was a never ending battlefield.

 

[kdx7214]

I had to say other. I won't keep clowns anymore. I had one that was great until it turned female and was thereafter a holy terror.

 

[Jasonak]

Ive been lucky I guess. Never had mean Ocell but have seen tomatoes that were just pure evil.

 

[Swfiend]

Ive been lucky I guess. Never had mean Ocell but have seen tomatoes that were just pure evil.

My big female would bite the s*%# out of you the second you would reach into the tank and when they get over 2.5” they actually can bite pretty good

 

[Jasonak]

My big female would bite the s*%# out of you the second you would reach into the tank and when they get over 2.5” they actually can bite pretty good

10 years ago I had some maroons that were about 6 inches and they were mean.
My big snowflake about 4 inches that died here 6 months ago was the least aggressive of all the clowns. Never chased anything or your hand. Again I have good sized tank so im sure that has something to do with it. If I get in there and start really moving things its normally my little damsels humbugs that start attacking me. Also my yellow tails will nip at my hands. That mean little tomato I mentioned was smart it would bite between fingers at the webbing lol
I think its just luck of the draw, I had a 8 inch emperor angel in my tank that never touched any sps softies or lps.

 

[Swfiend]

10 years ago I had some maroons that were about 6 inches and they were mean.
My big snowflake about 4 inches that died here 6 months ago was the least aggressive of all the clowns. Never chased anything or your hand. Again I have good sized tank so im sure that has something to do with it. If I get in there and start really moving things its normally my little damsels humbugs that start attacking me. Also my yellow tails will nip at my hands. That mean little tomato I mentioned was smart it would bite between fingers at the webbing lol

Ya my bullethole snowflakes were the mean ones they would bite between the fingers but the female was the first one to attack the male followed her lead

This is in a 120 and then in my 300

 

[Oiseaufeu]

I don't have enough experience since my tank is brand new and only has 2 clowns in it. I haven't fully stocked my 33 gallon tank and want a few other fish in it. I don't have a lid yet and I plan on making one myself.

 

[bakbay]

I currently have a harem of 11 juvenile Frostbite clowns living happily in a frag tank. It’s too early to tell really but will keep an eye on them for any aggressive behaviors.