Reaquainting a Clownfish - Need Advice!

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KellyFrancis

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 14, 2012
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Somerset WI
I have a female Percula Clownfish that I recently got with a 55 gal tank from a friend. He said she is the surviving member of a mated pair. I don't know how long she's been alone, or if that matters, but I would like to have another clown in the tank. We talked about it and I know I can't put a female with her. The question is: has anyone ever successfully gotten a resident female to accept a roommate? My friend said it was a crap shoot and he wasn't sure if she would take a buddy. I don't peticularily care if they are mated or not, I just want another clown (preferably a percula) in the tank and want to know if its a complete waste of time and money or if its been done and how.

He also said that because she's just recently been moved and still hasn't claimed a hidey-hole yet, it might be a good time to give it a shot. Any thoughts on that?
 
55g tank should be plenty of room for 2 clowns. Go for it. :D

My clown sleeps in the top corner of my 135g lol

And nags me everytime I am working on the tank...always in my face. Really cool fish. :D
 
It should work with minimal problems. Make sure the new clown is smaller and you can pretty much guarantee it to be a male.Remember that clowns can change back and forth from male and female so introducing a smaller clown should be easy. Just make sure that you do have plenty of hiding places in case there is trouble.
 
55g tank should be plenty of room for 2 clowns. Go for it. :D

My clown sleeps in the top corner of my 135g lol

And nags me everytime I am working on the tank...always in my face. Really cool fish. :D

I've had the tank for 4 days now and I am quite smitten with her. She also sleeps on the top of the tank and when I turn the lamp on at 5am to get ready for work, she gets grouchy and hides behind the filter's waterfall thing. I actually got to pet her this morning! I was so excited!
 
It should work with minimal problems. Make sure the new clown is smaller and you can pretty much guarantee it to be a male.Remember that clowns can change back and forth from male and female so introducing a smaller clown should be easy. Just make sure that you do have plenty of hiding places in case there is trouble.

My friend (who sold me the tank) said basically the same thing but thought there was considerable enough risk of her killing him instead that I shouldn't risk it. Hence, why I ask. I don't want to just throw away $80 or whatever it turns out to be, on a roll of the dice, you know?
 
I've been through five clownfish in my short time of keeping saltwater fishes, and I gave up after the one pair turned on each other; the female beat the crap out of the male then fed him to the anemone! It's worth noting that this was the only case I had of a female going crazy and murdering her "mate" as if he was an enemy. The first pair was fine with each other, and that female accepted a new mate after her original one died (wedged himself under a rock); that pair later died during an ich outbreak.

I would try introducing a new male, but I would be prepared to separate them; it will help if you pull her first and let him establish a territory before adding her back in.
 
hay hunchback of your so lame! you through out some of the things i said but not all of them. i did say it could work. we will have to see about that one at forest lake. i didnt know they could go back to male. i think that female i gave you has been alone for somewere around 2-3 months.
 
also that one was only $37 and was partblack so it would look like the other male that got killed.
 
hay hunchback of your so lame! you through out some of the things i said but not all of them. i did say it could work. we will have to see about that one at forest lake. i didnt know they could go back to male. i think that female i gave you has been alone for somewere around 2-3 months.

Well you don't gotta be so mean about it! I was just asking. Shoot a girl for getting another angle on the problem! Geez....
 
you know thats you new name like triangles laugh is the new running joke. i was just sayin to say all if what i said not just a part of it. otherwise makes me seem to lack knowladge. i wouldnt have told you to come on here if i didnt want you to gain multipule opinons from others on your tank.


think about that clown at forest lake. maybe tomorrow we could run up there if you want to get it. it would be after work
though i may be chillin with ryan on lunch.
 
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