Thinking of adding another clownfish

[neil82]

I'm getting ready to move current livestock from 55 gallon to new 90 gallon setup. Current fish include:
Yellow tang
Clownfish- about 3"
Tricolor fairy wrasse
Watchman goby
Banggai cardinal

I'm thinking of adding another clown fish at the time I transfer to the new tank since everyone will be reestablishing their territory. There are two reasons I want a second clownfish. First, I'd like to see if they will pair up. I've never kept a clownfish pair. Second, I'd like to see if the new clownfish will show interest in the anemones. I have 4 BTAs and the current clownfish has never shown interest.
Now I know these are some pretty elementary goals, but I have always wanted to have a clownfish that lives in host anemone. And I would be thrilled to watch the behavior of a bonded pair. So.. what will give me the best odds of achieving 1 or possibly 2 of these goals? Oh, and my preference would be to keep my current clownfish.

 

[scchase]

Just get one much smaller and they should pair up. As to the anemones who knows, my current pair took almost 2 years to decide to make one their home.

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

This seems like an interesting way to try to add the fish:

I think if you got a smaller clown like Scott said, introduced it to the anemone like in the video...you might have a slightly better than normal chance? Worth a try anyway. Once you get the new guy to host in the nem I bet the other one will catch on as well. Maybe, since you are introducing everybody to a new environment you could just introduce your current clown the same way...down the fish tube slide to the nem?

 

[zombie]

The other important thing to consider is to make sure you get one you are sure hasn't already bonded and become female since the transition is one way only. Getting a juvenile or picking the smaller of an already bonded pair will ensure this.

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[neil82]

I did pick up a small clownfish at elite reef last weekend. It's half the size of my other clown at best. The two clownfish seemed curious about each other and kind of stuck together at first. But within a day or two, the larger one had claimed a corner of the tank and chases the smaller fish away from this corner. The smaller fish is persistent in testing the boundary and they have a bit of a cat and mouse game going.

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

The most recent time I added 2 clowns together I removed the larger one from the tank and put her in an acclimation box for 2 days while the little guy got the run of the tank. After her timeout she came out and they were happy as can be, and have been since.

 

[neil82]

The most recent time I added 2 clowns together I removed the larger one from the tank and put her in an acclimation box for 2 days while the little guy got the run of the tank. After her timeout she came out and they were happy as can be, and have been since.

Thanks for the idea. I'll give it another day and then try the acclimation box. In the meantime, who knows of a local vendor (I'm in Lafayette) that would have an acclimation box?

 

[zombie]

Thanks for the idea. I'll give it another day and then try the acclimation box. In the meantime, who knows of a local vendor (I'm in Lafayette) that would have an acclimation box?

Petsmart and Petco usually have them. They list them as "breeder boxes" typically.

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[neil82]

Petsmart and Petco usually have them. They list them as "breeder boxes" typically.

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Oh cool, thanks.

 

[neil82]

Things got busy for a bit, but I did get the breeder box and put the large clown in there. It has been in there one week. Should I release back to the tank now?

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

Things got busy for a bit, but I did get the breeder box and put the large clown in there. It has been in there one week. Should I release back to the tank now?

I don't know if there is an exact science to it, but I released my large female at night when the lights were off. Checked on them in the morning and they were getting along. It feels risky because you can't sit and stare at them to make sure she isn't killing him. But the lights out seem to be the most relaxing...

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

You could also rearrange stuff so both fish find new territory....nothing claimed yet as their own.

 

[Cake_Boss]

Colorado plastics sells those acrylic tubes for $20/ft....at least the 4" ones.


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[Haddonisreef]

@TheRealChrisBrown = Clown whisper
great ideas man!

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

Any luck Neil?

 

[neil82]

I think I'll let her back into the tank tonight after lights out. I was looking into those plastic tubes but they seem a bit expensive. I wish I had something around the house that would work.

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

I think I'll let her back into the tank tonight after lights out. I was looking into those plastic tubes but they seem a bit expensive. I wish I had something around the house that would work.

I don't think it needs to be clear? Just get a section of 4in PVC pipe from HD...I think they sell the 2 ft. sections pretty cheap....like $5?

 

[neil82]

I don't think it needs to be clear? Just get a section of 4in PVC pipe from HD...I think they sell the 2 ft. sections pretty cheap....like $5?

I was considering this. Do you think this will work? I would probably need to shine a light down the tube to see what's going on.

 

[neil82]

If I take the large clown out of isolation and put in the tank with lights off tonight the anemones will likely be closed up. Just thought of that. I think I'll need to do this during the day if I want to try the tube trick.

 

[SynDen]

You can prolly do it a bit before lights out. Often times once you slide them down the tube they land in the nem and they generally take to it pretty quick.