Adding a clown...

[hhughes]

This isn't an anytime soon thing, more of a research and mull it over thing... but I'm considering trying to pair up my maroon clown at some point. From what I've read, I need to find a much smaller (1"?) clown, and then use a divider type thing for a bit until it looks like Sheila isn't going to eat him for breakfast.

She's the only fish in my 28g cube, and as far as clowns go she's always seemed fairly mild mannered. Doesn't mess with my hand, doesn't nip other fish unless they disturb her precious GSP farm.

(All correct so far?)

If I were to add anything else to the tank, e.g. a small goby or firefish, would having a pair of clowns be more dangerous to it than a single? I guess what I'm asking is, should I consider any other additions before looking for Sheila's boyfriend? (My experience with breeding is purely freshwater, mainly bettas and african cichlids, which are infinitely more dangerous when paired up!)

 

[jamescook]

sounds like you have the right idea. And I've got small gobies and cardinals mixed in with all my breeding pairs without trouble. They get even more bossy when they are spawning, but don't really mess with the other fish too much. Good luck with the pairing. Sometimes they will and sometimes they won't.

 

[containerman1]

hhughes;776296 wrote: This isn't an anytime soon thing, more of a research and mull it over thing... but I'm considering trying to pair up my maroon clown at some point. From what I've read, I need to find a much smaller (1"?) clown, and then use a divider type thing for a bit until it looks like Sheila isn't going to eat him for breakfast.

She's the only fish in my 28g cube, and as far as clowns go she's always seemed fairly mild mannered. Doesn't mess with my hand, doesn't nip other fish unless they disturb her precious GSP farm.

(All correct so far?)

If I were to add anything else to the tank, e.g. a small goby or firefish, would having a pair of clowns be more dangerous to it than a single? I guess what I'm asking is, should I consider any other additions before looking for Sheila's boyfriend? (My experience with breeding is purely freshwater, mainly bettas and african cichlids, which are infinitely more dangerous when paired up!)

I just added a Gold Stripe Maroon and it took about 2 days in the tank before my big female 3 in. let the smaller maroon move around 1 in. without picking at him.
I went to Petco and bought a small clear hermit crab box with the plastic mesh top and put him in it and sat it in the tank for couple days . The female would hit the plastic and act up but after couple days I have released him and they seem to be doing pretty good.
Good luck

 

[hhughes]

Awesome. It'll probably be a while, gotta get this baby out first. Maybe it can be a post-baby recovery present for myself :-D