Multiple pairs of clownfish

[lsu_fishfan]

Has anyone ever attempted to have multiple pairs of clownfish in a single tank?

I know that some people have done clownfish harem tanks with minimal loss, but they heavily feed the fish to minimize aggresion. While this is effective, I'm not sure how it would work out in a reef tank where the goal is to maintain low nutrients.

I've also heard that when multiple clownfish are kept in a tank together, all fish are males and only one female is formed.

How many pairs of clowns have you kept together and in what size tank? Also what type of clownfish were they?

 

[jrhunter0000]

I had 3 at one point and never had a issue. But its a rick. Tomato clowns I always heard are the worst don't even try it.

 

[jbadd99]

I tried to do to pairs years ago in my 120g against the advice of JennM. I picked Ocellaris pair and a black and white pair. I introduced them on opposite sides of the tank the same day, where the stayed for several days. Within a month one of the black and whites was dead. Another month later and one of the Ocellaris' was dead. The other two paired up and lived for a few years.

I wouldn't do it again, but if one were to try, I'd recommend Ocellaris' and nothing else.

 

[enderg60]

If you have a 6+ft tank each pair is a different species that has its own anemone that stay at opposite sides you have a 50/50 shot of them not killing each other.

Clowns do not like being in groups. Remember they are at heart damsels and evil.

Only way I have ever seen anyone make more than 2 clowns work is by using all juvenile clowns added at the same time. I actually tried it with 5 onyx clowns. I had to remove 2 of them due to fighting and now the main pair hangs out in one anemone and the lone sub male just hangs out in a RBTA on the other side and gets chased away when he gets near the other two.

My best advice is dont bother.

 

[hiimsean]

I wouldn't risk it. I thought about doing it in my 80g build but I highly doubt I will. There's a few threads on Reef Central, one a 60g the other is about 120-150g, with 20+ juvenile from the same spawn that were raised together. There are multiple anemones to host in the ranks as well.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2572833">http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2572833</a>
[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1259398&highlight=27+clowns">http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1259398&highlight=27+clowns</a>

 

[doctorgonzo788]

I have two black and white, and 2 ocellaris in my 80. No problems. I have a feeling though, if the largest black and white ever lays eggs, it will be mayhem.