True or False Perculas

[duster]

I'm a newbie in the process of establishing a 12g fish with LR and hardy tank-cleaning inverts (snails, crab??, cleaner shrimp). I would like to have three small fishes: a Clown, an Orchid Dotty (Fridmani pseudochromis), and a Yellowbelly Blue Damsel (P. Auriventris). I have not yet decided which Clown to get: a True Perc or a False/Ocellaris Perc. According to what I've read, True Percs are a brighter orange and have thicker black markings (as they mature), but can be less hardy and perhaps more finicky and aggressive than the False/Ocellaris. Live Aquaria.com lists the True Perc as "semi-aggressive" and the False Perc as "peaceful". If all things were equal, I would go with the True because of the brighter orange, but IYO, which is a better choice for me? Take into consideration the following: 1) I'm a newbie 2) The other two fishes I'm planning are listed as "semi-aggressive", although both are known to be more peaceful than others in their families 3) The Clown, regardless of the species, will be purchased as a tank-raised juvenile, about .75" - 1.5". Also, can Percs be happy when housed as a single clown, or should they be in pairs? Thank You.

[duster]

As soon as I posted the above post, the bottom of my screen showed that others have asked the same question several times before. Sorry. Hope I still get some good input though, especially from those of you who have direct experience with both species. If nothing else, I'd appreciate your thoughts on my stocking plan for a 12g tank.

[Reefland]

Duster,

Really I don't think you would notice an aggression difference between A. percula's and A. ocellaris clownfish.

I was lucky to find 2 A. ocellaris that were completely black (which I really, really like) and they have been great citizens. If you wanted the fish for the orange coloration, I would go with A. ocellaris since they will remain orange whereas the perculas will turn more black as they mature.

[Sueet]

Welp, I'm a newbie myself, but quite frankly, a 12g tank is not big enough to put 3 aggressive fish and expect them to 'get along'. That is just my opinion tho.

The clowns..... Well, I have two true-percs, and I love them, they're so friendly, they beg for food and attention like puppies. They eat right out of my hands, and will swim around and thru my fingers if I leave my hand in the water long enough. Their coloring is much more attractive than the false percs (to me anyway) and the false percs I've seen at the lfs' seem to be very territorial, always threatening when you go too near the glass... Maybe not all are like that, it probably, like with most things, depends on the individual fish, and of course, how they're caught (or raised if aquacultured) and how they've been being treated.
Clowns can do fine just single, they do not have to be paired, nor do they have to have a host anemone or coral, tho in some cases they may be happier with one, depending on whether they've had one before.

Seriously... I would strongly recommend against such a small tank with 3 aggressive fish. Either a bigger tank, or a different selection. Damsels in particular are just plain MEAN! lol, that's my opinion sneaking out again

[Ninong]

I would recommend a pair of clownfish, either Amphiprion percula or A. ocellaris. I would definitely NOT include a damsel in that tank and I don't think a 12-gal tank is quite large enough for a Pseudochromis fridmani.

[Penguin]

I would go with the true percula. I agree with Scott that there really isn't much of a behavior/aggression difference. I like the coloration of the true perc a little bit better and it sounds like you do too. It's true that they will often get more black on them as they mature, but not always. They also stay just a little bit smaller than the ocellaris. The clown will be just fine on its own. But there are also lots of interesting behaviors to observe if you get a pair. Good fish for a newbie.

[Poseidon]

I have a pair of A Ocellaris, the female is the ONLY fish in my tank that will attack my hand when I am pulling Xenia out. The pair have decided to now host in my hammer coral, where for the first year they hosted in my Xenia. As far as coloring goes, I am partial to A. Ocellaris, because they do stay ORANGE!!! But my best friend is more partial to A. Percula, so it truly is a matter of individual taste. I have also read that A. Ocellaris is supposed to be a "hardier" species, but I think that came from some website not neccessarily anyone that actually KNOWS for sure.

[duster]

I've heard alot about the nastiness of damsels. I was only thinking about a Yellowbelly (P. auriventris) or Yellowtail (C. Parasema) because both have been described as "a good choice for beginnners since it is less aggressive and does not need as large an aquarium as other damsels".
As far as the Pseudo goes, I read that Clowns and certain Damsels are alright in small tanks, but I wasn't sure about Pseudos. I thought of one for their small size, brilliant color, and tank-raised hardiness.
What other fish could be recommended to go with one or two Clowns in a small tank? Like most any newbie, I'm looking for hardiness, easy care, peaceful and happy in a small tank, brilliant coloration, and a personality to swim in the open and be easily visible.
I originally loved the idea of a Royal Gramma, but began to read/hear that they are shy and remain hidden in the LR most of the time. There was one at the store where I got my LR, but the whole time I was there (completely fascinated by their display tanks), I only saw a glimpse of his face one time.
I don't want one if I can't watch it! Does anyone know if a Gramma will swim out and about once they become comfortable with their new environment? Other ideas I've had include a Citrus/Citron Clown Goby, a Dartfish/Firefish Goby, or maybe a Six-Line or other small, active Wrasse.
Your thoughts?

[Reefland]

Duster,

Actually I think the 2 clowns would be all the fish your tank could handle. It is difficult to resist the urge to purchase some colorful active fish for for our tank but we really need to do it; squeezing 3 fish in a 12 gal tank is too much, 2 clowns would be my limit.

[kevinpo]

I agree a pair of clowns for a 12 gal is enough. If you go to a 20 gal, another fish such as a Royal Gramma would be OK. Once settled in (about 90 days) they are out most all the time.

HTH,
Kevin

[duster]

Thank you.

I'm glad to hear that Grammas will swim in the open after settling in. Two of the books I've read say they are a near perfect fish for beginners, so I figured they must come out eventually, or people wouldn't like them. I'm sure the one at the fish store that day was new to the tank or had new tankmates, as it was a dealer tank. It still sucks though because it was my only chance to see one in person. Because some have said that a Clown will be fine as a single, mayble I'll go with a single Clown and a Gramma. I would still consider a Yellowbelly or Yellowtail Blue Damsel in place of the Gramma, as the coloration seems to be as brilliant, but perhaps the Damsel is not as shy. I would welcome more comments from those who've had/have Grammas or the above mentioned Damsels.