Clowns and Damselfish

[mdrury]

Hi All,

I have a 38 gallon FOWLR with three humbug damselfish and about 25 assorted snails and hermits. I would like to add a couple of clown fish (I think I like the Clark Clowns) and an anenome for them to host in.

Now I know you are supposed to add the docile fish first and then add the more aggresive fish after everyone else is settled in. My question is, if I add the clowns as a pair, and the anenome, will the damselfish harass the clowns to death, or will the anenome protect them?

Thanks for any advice.

MD

[James]

It depends upon the species of Danselfish you have. Yellowtails and blues tend to be a little aggressive especially if they were the first fish in the tank and have had time to claim it as theirs.

Another thing to consider, that alot of people over look is that clown fish are a species of Danselfish and should not be mixed unless you have plenty of room in the tank to accomodate both.

Sound like you may have a choice to make?? My choice would be to return the Danselfish you have and get the pair of clowns.
good luck.

[spbaden]

I cycled with a yellow tail and a 4 stripe damsel. I am talking about a 21 gallon so space was very limited. The 4 stripe was the boss over the yellow tail. I was a little conserned about the well being of my clown when i put him in but i was glad at the results. After the first couple of days, once he stoped hiding, i noticed that not only did the 4 stripe not bother him but the clown (being no bigger then him) the clown was acually in charge of the 4 stipe, because they are not violent fish this was no problem it just keeped things calm and in check. It is possible that my damsels were wimps and the clown is a bad ass, but I think you should be more then ok, and if the have an anemone to hid in then im preddy sure you are in the clear. but i dont know that for a fact.

[deuce]

I've mixed damsels and clownfish with great results. During the two times I've had to establish my 55 gal, I started with the damsels, then added 2 perculas and then more damsels and some other aggressive fish. The clownfish never get aggressive but they never get bothered by any tankmates either. In my experience they have mixed quite well.

[kenn157]

I was having some issues with my tank health. All is well now. The UV did the trick. Anyway I bought a domino to test the "waters" Its still lives today and I've added more fish. One of which is a maroon (white stripe) clown. He was small when I got him/her.. She's getting bigger! She dosent like the domino at all. The domino dosent run too far before it sorta makes a stand against the clown. I have several anemones in the tank now. I've recently added another maroon clown. Its much small and has gold bars. The big clown chased away the little clown for 3 days and the little clown has the battle scars/fins to prove it. The past 3 or 4 days the big clown swims up to the smaller one and the smaller one does his little quiver dance and she swims away. I think they're going be ok with each other pretty soon and become a "mated pair" which was my goal.

[Poseidon]

WHat about your lights? Most people are UNSUCCESSFUL keeping anemones because they do not know their requirements. Most Anemones need lighting on the same scale as SPS and Clams... CAn you provide that kind of intensity? If not save yourself the money and save the anemone from a slow starvation...

[deuce]

I have always heard that you should only keep clownfish in singles, unless they are added at the same time in which they can become a mated pair, and I would think that is the reason your two maroons are acting in the way they are . In my (limited) experience I have always seen my two perculas (in both the first establishment and in the second after after going fallow following some velvet) to get along great and stick by eachother quite a bit. Anyway I don't know to say if your maroons will or will not get along eventually, but I think that if the second wasn't added at the same time or shortly after the first, that they probbly won't become a mated pair...but don't take my word for it.

[kenn157]

I knew there was a risk involved. But it looks like they will become at least friends! I dont expect to raise any fry. But with so many anemones maybe the two can take care of them all!

[deuce]

I dont expect to raise any fry

I hear clownfish are pretty difficult to mate successfully and require a seperate tank and stuff during the process...but the interaction you get from the two together (both when they get along and when they don't ;)) is really fun to watch. The first two perculas I had would (together) swim sideways along the surface of the water from one end to the other. And the small one would tail whip the bigger one and then just sit there swimming in place like he was laughing. ;)