more than two clownfish?

[Brightwhite]

Is it possible? And if so how do you do it so no one dies. Tnx

[ponokareefer]

Are you talking different kinds, or multiple clowns of the same species?

If it is the same species, add them all at the same time, and you'll be fine. If you are adding some in after the fact, add smaller ones, and try to re-aquascape some.

If it is of different species, it is more difficult. It can be done but you have to do a lot of things:
-try to add them at the same time. If not, then and try to re-aquascape some.
-have a long enough tank, minimum 4 feet. The larger the tank, the more likely you are to succeed. What size of tank are you attempting it with?
-get less aggressive species, such as percs, false percs, skunks. If you try Tomatoes or Cinnamon's, you are going to have a very difficult time.
-cross your fingers, and be prepared to get some out if the aggression will not stop.

[Brightwhite]

I have a 20g with one misbar perc and one semi-picasso. I wanted to add either a semi-snowflake or just a reg true perc.

[fishoholic]

I would say your tank is way to small for multiple clowns. What ponokareefer wrote is what I usually find to be true. The bigger the tank you have the better it will be for multiple clowns and the more peacefull clowns do better with one another then the more aggressive ones and it helps when you add them all at the same time.

I tried a black and white clown with my percs in my 230g tank and they never got along, the black and white always picked on the percs even though they hosted at opposite ends of the tank. However I have skunks and percs in there now and they all get along. But 230g is a lot bigger then 20g and I think if my tank was smaller they might not get along.

[ponokareefer]

As fishoholic wrote, 20 gallons is too small to try this with. You're likely to see a lot of fins go missing in a short period, or one jump out.

[gobytron]

I think that if you initially added them all at once, you might manage...
Especially with captive bred clowns.

You still might if you remove the current residents, re aquascape completely and then add all 3 simultaneously.

Clowns are funny as once the dominant female becomes mature, it's really up to her which males are worth keeping around and which should be chased away.

IME, the actual species has less to do with this than the actual mating preferences of the big momma.


It's worth a try, just be ready to deal witha dead fish or return the clown to the lfs or another reefer if he gets rejected.

[Brightwhite]

Ok. Well what will happen if they don't get along? The other two will pick on him and he will die?

[Nebthet]

Your tank is definately too small for anything over two clowns. You should have a minimum 56g (36x18x22) but the longer the better.

I have 4 clowns in my tank right now and there is minimal aggression.
I had the one big female in there first at the beginning of last may, and then I got a couple baby onyx clowns, thumbnail size, and added them in, but within a container within the tank for 4-5 months until they were big enough to not get eaten by my other fish.
I then added another Picasso in July of that time frame and never had any problems with any of them.

Now the babies have paired up and the Big Female SI Onyx and Picasso have paired up.

[Rogue951]

I've had 2 ocellaris clowns for 3 years now and wanting to try pairing them up I bought 2 more small ones from J&L. they're all one happy 4some almost smothering my poor bta. lol.
they look quite happy all together.

[gobytron]

I'm not proud of it, but I kept 3 clowns in an aquapod 12 for 3 months when I was a noob...

No aggression whatsoever.