pair of clowns?

I started a 55gal about 2 weeks ago and am planning to purchase an orange pecula clownfish this weekend (my wife's choice) and i have read that clowns are happier in pairs. I have my eye on a black and white percula, but i'll hafta order it online because there's a very liimited selection at the only decent lfs. My question is will the same species of different color do ok together because in my freshwater experience fish of the same species but slightly different (albino and normal) tend to show aggression towards the other and should i be concerned with the sexes, 2 males or 2 females, will they be happy together. also the only inhabitant of the tank right now is a javanese damsel which i know can get aggressive but he is only about a half inch long right now will all be ok together

 

Ist reply and it wont be good news , sorry
tank started 2 weeks ago , its far to early to add anymore fish IME
your tank whilst cycling due to the presence of the damsel, will still be far from stable
and the addition of extra fish at this time can cause you massive problems and possibly result in early demise of said new fish

I cant speak with any knowledge about compatibility of different clown types

I can say - adding 2 of the same type is OK at one time, I have done this often, one grows larger than the other and becomes the female ( they are all born sexless)

but if it where me, I would wait another 10 weeks before adding new fish
the tank should be mature at 12 weeks and thus survival chances are improved

Steve

 

bummer, but what about a few cerinth snails and a brittle starfish, still too early?

 

dont worry about the different colors. whether there happier in pairs i dont know about that, ive had singles and ive had pairs they dont particular seem to care as long as there not the only fish in the tank. thats not to say the fish may not fight with others in the tank but there just less skittish of you. you probably wont have that problem with percs as most are captive bred, and i think all blacks are.

dont add more then 2 clowns to a tank, dont have the same sexed clowns exception is both unsexed. a clown family is made of male, female, rest are unsexed juveniles. two pairs may fight for territory.

 

Agree totally. When did you add your damsel? The tank should be starting its rises and hitting its "peaks". These so called peaks are very crucial too a tank and are very hard on any fish in the tank. I really dont see how damsels do it. But any way. You need to start testing testing testing. Every day or two. If you dont have a kit you need to purchase one. And a good one. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS BESIDES A SKIMMER. But on the other hand, you might not have to wait that long for just one fellow. but its best to add a same time and order at same time if ordered. (b/c shipping will kill you) On the other hand about different clowns. I have seen many tanks with multiple clowns in it. I believe that it would be very very okay to add a black and white and a orange. I have seen many cases where people have bred them.

Sorry for so long LOL But things should start taking its course now. So go slow and let your tank grow. I cannot express that enough. Let us know if ya need anything.

Pat

 

I have heard that they will just somehow go back to being unsexed and switch if not the head honcho

 

I recall I added some snails and hermits within the 1st month
dont recall any issues to be honest
in fact I know on my most recent set up (6O gallon set up late Feb 09) I put in 3 x Astrea snails on week 3 at start of diatom growth period and the 3 are still alive and kicking along with a blue legged hermit that I also removed from my bigger tank

Steve

 

ive heard males can go back, but once your a female your stuck.

if you add two of the same sex, even males, you up the chance for a brutal dominance struggle

 

ok well my plan was to purchase an orange juvenile this weekend and in a couple of weeks or months purchase a black and white juvenile, will the black and white become whatever sex the orange isn't or will the orange just remain unsexed until another is added? and my tank peaked aboout 7 days ago with a nitrate level of about 80ppm and is quickly coming down. It is currently between 5 and 10ppm so i'm thinking my cycle is actually moving pretty quick but i do not want to do anything to disrupt it....i'm actually over 2 weeks right now and was thinking of making some purchases on sunday which would be just short of 3 weeks

 

i would only add one fish or invert every 2 weeks at most, this will prevent you from stocking to fast and making purchases you may regret.

a lone clown becomes female, but that takes a year i would guess from a juvenile stage. its just important that what every clown you add second is a juvenile, then they will work it out amoungst themselves whos the boss.