Yellowstripe Maroon Clownfish & percula

Kevin McG · 12-30-2004, 07:29 PM

I just added a Yellowstripe Maroon Clownfish to my tank and the percula seems to be picking on him a bit. I didn't think it would ba an issue. Will it pass?

**Ninong** · 12-31-2004, 11:18 AM

Territorial instincts cause fish to be hostile to newcomers that they perceive as competitiors for the same habitat or food items. Even though the Percula Clownfish and the Maroon Clownfish are in two different genera, they are both clownfish and share similar lifestyles.

How long this period of hostility lasts depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your tank and the respective sizes of the two fish. I will assume that your new Maroon Clownfish is smaller than your Percula Clownfish because the behavior that you are observing would be reversed if the Maroon were larger and the results might be more permanent. Whether you will be able to keep a Maroon and a Percula in the same aquarium depends on the size of the aquarium. If it is a relatively small aquarium (less than 75 gallons), you may run into difficulties once the Maroon matures. There is no question about who will be the boss in the end. The Maroon Clownfish is the most aggressive of all the clownfish and an adult female Maroon is much, much larger than an adult female Percula.

Kevin McG · 12-31-2004, 11:43 AM

Thanks for the great reply.

One thing is that the maroon clown is larger than the percula. The maroon clown spent the night hanging out in the top back left corner of the tank and now he under a rock hiding. I am really concerned since this is a beautiful fish and really like him. If things don't work out one of them has to go.

PS my tank is a 29 gallon so this is a issue

**Ninong** · 12-31-2004, 12:48 PM

A 29-gal is a little on the small side for a Maroon Clownfish. A better idea would be to keep two Percula Clownfish so that you would have a pair of the same species.

Kevin McG · 12-31-2004, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninong

A 29-gal is a little on the small side for a Maroon Clownfish. A better idea would be to keep two Percula Clownfish so that you would have a pair of the same species.

We originaly had 2 perculas but lost one

I will keep a close eye and see what happens during the weekend.

**Ninong** · 12-31-2004, 12:56 PM

Your best bet would be to exchange the Maroon for another Percula. A Maroon Clown in a 29-gal tank will definitely harass the other inhabitants, especially another clownfish.

12-30-2004, 07:29 PM	#1
Kevin McG Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 16	Yellowstripe Maroon Clownfish & percula I just added a Yellowstripe Maroon Clownfish to my tank and the percula seems to be picking on him a bit. I didn't think it would ba an issue. Will it pass?

12-31-2004, 11:18 AM	#2
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,615	Territorial instincts cause fish to be hostile to newcomers that they perceive as competitiors for the same habitat or food items. Even though the Percula Clownfish and the Maroon Clownfish are in two different genera, they are both clownfish and share similar lifestyles. How long this period of hostility lasts depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your tank and the respective sizes of the two fish. I will assume that your new Maroon Clownfish is smaller than your Percula Clownfish because the behavior that you are observing would be reversed if the Maroon were larger and the results might be more permanent. Whether you will be able to keep a Maroon and a Percula in the same aquarium depends on the size of the aquarium. If it is a relatively small aquarium (less than 75 gallons), you may run into difficulties once the Maroon matures. There is no question about who will be the boss in the end. The Maroon Clownfish is the most aggressive of all the clownfish and an adult female Maroon is much, much larger than an adult female Percula. __________________ Ninong

12-31-2004, 12:48 PM	#4
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,615	A 29-gal is a little on the small side for a Maroon Clownfish. A better idea would be to keep two Percula Clownfish so that you would have a pair of the same species. __________________ Ninong

12-31-2004, 12:56 PM	#6
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,615	Your best bet would be to exchange the Maroon for another Percula. A Maroon Clown in a 29-gal tank will definitely harass the other inhabitants, especially another clownfish. __________________ Ninong

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12-31-2004, 11:43 AM	#3
Kevin McG Just Moved In Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 16	Thanks for the great reply. One thing is that the maroon clown is larger than the percula. The maroon clown spent the night hanging out in the top back left corner of the tank and now he under a rock hiding. I am really concerned since this is a beautiful fish and really like him. If things don't work out one of them has to go. PS my tank is a 29 gallon so this is a issue

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