clown questions

Hello

I currently have 1 mocha clown. Originally it was was part of a pair, but her? partner in crime got sick 2 days after coming home and ended up dying in short order (taking my storm weakened helfrinchi with him). That was about a month and a half ago. I'm assuming at this point that the survivor is a female. I would like to get an onyx picasso for her mate. On to the questions:

1. I am about to upgrade. Should I get him before or after?
2. What to do about quarantine? I've seen it said that clowns shouldn't be quarantined as they may turn into females. Maybe quarantine them together? I'd rather not risk my new helfrinchi or other fish
3. Pretty sure this is a no, but is there any way to be positive I'm getting a male?
4. Is she percula or ocellaris? Will it matter? Ive heard some people say you can mix, and others say no.

Please pardon the coraline on the glass... bonus points if you spot the blenny!

 

1- After, and introduce them together.

2- As far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out on that one. I've never QTed, and in over 38 years, I've never had ich or any other parasite/disease. OTOH, those that QT seem to be the ones that have the most problems. The big issue is stress, and I can't imagine being housed in a temporary QT tank and the extra moving not being stressful. Buying tank-bred stock from a reputable vendor/LFS will greatly improve your chances of getting healthy fish.

3- Yes. Buy a small juvie and it will mature as a male.

4- Corailline, pagojoe, or 1.0Reef could answer this one better than I. You can PM one of them if you don't get a suitable response.

 

............

I only see a very nice looking fat clown.

 

4. That beauty is an occy
and you can mix them...

 

she is very pretty. thought I just might be biased wish she would stay still long enough for a decent pic.
I've never quarantined either, but it seems like most people recommend it. After the last time when i got a sick clown I'm a lot more concerned. But then again, I suppose it was my fault. I should have waited to get the clowns until my other fish was fully recovered, but they were just too good to pass up. thanks for the help everyone!

ps. middle left

 

I have seen these and they are very cool looking clowns.....I almost bought a mated pair but I'm sure it was going to be expensive

 

nope, thats why I couldn't pass them up. only $25 per fish. They seem to be a bit rare though. I've only seen them that once

 

Wow, that was a steal! Good job, I'm jealous....

 

Beautiful fish, and I agree that is a steal. At my LFS, regular ocellaris prices are $25 wild, $40 tank-bred.

I see it, now. Blended right in with the edge of the rock. lol. Looking closely, you can tell he turned his head slightly for the second pic.

 

Dang! I can get wild caught for $15 and the most I've seen for tank bred is $35, but you can find them easy here for $25. Mine is tank bred. and yeah, he's my little muppet ninja blenny