clownfish social dynamics

[shrimpy1]

Hiya folks,

I currently have 2 false percula clowns with a carpet anemone. One clown is significantly larger than the other, which I assume is the dominant female. The larger clown is always, well..., clowning around in the carpet, while the smaller one is more standoffish in regards to the carpet. I'm not sure if the larger clown is greedy and hogging the carpet or if the smaller clown just isn't that interested in the carpet. I'm wondering what would be the effect to the clownfish social order if I were to add another smaller clown. Is this advisable? Will they be welcomed into the clan, or will they be forced to the fringes of (clownfish) society? These guys are such characters, I'd like to add another one or two. Thanks for your thoughts.

-shrimpy1

[VPWoodwork1]

It probably is not a good idea. I am just guessing here but you got the 2 you have now at the same time. They may be mated or just put up with one another. A third would probably get picked on by both. The only way to add another would be if you have a pretty large tank. That way they can be seperated with thier own anenomie. One at one end and the pair at the other. Just my opinion though.

Glenn

[shrimpy1]

How do I know if I have a mated pair? They are always together in one corner of the tank, and always have been even before I introduced the carpet. They will occasionally mock bite each other, but never chase each other away or cause any injuries to each other. I know the large one will become the dominant female, but how can I tell if I have a (mated) male in the other. The smaller fish is much smaller than the female. Is it possible for a small female to morph back into male?

[Mikeman]

no once its female, its alway female

I always wondered this myself if you added 4 or 5 clownfish to a tank with 2 or 3 anenome's if they would become a harem.....

[Ninong]

Originally posted by shrimpy1:

I currently have 2 false percula clowns with a carpet anemone. One clown is significantly larger than the other, which I assume is the dominant female.

If it is significantly larger than the other, it will most probably become the dominant female.

The larger clown is always, well..., clowning around in the carpet, while the smaller one is more standoffish in regards to the carpet. I'm not sure if the larger clown is greedy and hogging the carpet or if the smaller clown just isn't that interested in the carpet.

Prior to becoming a mated pair, the more dominant fish will usually exclude the smaller fish from the host anemone. The smaller fish will not attempt to go near the anemone without the consent of the more dominant fish.

I'm wondering what would be the effect to the clownfish social order if I were to add another smaller clown.

This is not the best idea in most home aquariums, especially in your situation. Your 30-gal tank is really too small to support more than one pair of Amphiprion ocellaris. A. ocellaris would be the best candidate for having more than two in the same tank provided the tank is large enough, but your tank really isn't large enough.

Is this advisable? Will they be welcomed into the clan, or will they be forced to the fringes of (clownfish) society?

You would end up with one dominant female, one mature male and one or more subordinate sexually immature fish. This is only recommended if you have a fairly large tank.

However, you will soon be faced with a serious problem: all three species of carpet anemones (Stichodactyla gigantea, S. haddoni and S. mertensii) grow much too large for a 30-gallon tank.