Recommendations on new fish for my tank

Snoogans

AC Members
Feb 16, 2007
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Brisbane, Australia
Hi guys, my first 2 fish were going well for past week or so, until one of the clowns disappeared. He was being bullied to some degree by the other one (bought them together, roughly similar sizes). Came back from several days out of town and he was gone, I assume either injured and died and clean up crew then got him or someone sinister is hiding in my tank. Have 2 hairy black crabs that i can't catch but have never witnessed doing bad things and also 2 shrimp that i am 90% sure are pistols (both have banded body, white tipped claws, one claw bigger than other).

Anyway for those who are still reading, I want to buy another clown, any recommendations on how to best pick one that might be more compatible? Also what other fish should I add to my peaceful setup? Was considering a sand shifting goby

As always thanks
 
Other's with far more knowledge will chime in I'm sure, but when it comes to clowns, pairing them may prove rather difficult. Clowns do not play nicely with other clowns that are the same kind, let alone a different variety. You obviously attempted it the correct way by getting both at the same time. It is my understanding that all clowns are born male. Then the dominant one will change to a female. I would guess that in your case...dominate meant lethal.

If you attempt another clown, again from what I have read, you should try to find one smaller than the one you have, and provide an escape zone for the new one. I've read about using "egg crate" to build cages that the small one could enter, but the large one could not. Also, you should be prepared to remove the smaller one if things don't work out real well. Keep in mind...if you have a female and by some chance get another female...well...someone's gotta go.

Another tactic that I read about to assist in the situation was to rearrange the tank. Clowns are territorial. Therefore, if you change the territory, the "host" clown might be more willing to accept company.

I've done a lot of reading on this subject...and there is tons of information about them on the Internet...but I just recently aquired a maroon clown so I can not be considered and expert by any means. :)
 
Just buy two or 3 of similiar size. The largest becomes a female the second becomes a male and bam a pair. The rest will be runts and stay males until the female dies and the biggest male turns into a female and the next biggest becomes a male. and another pair is form.
 
Thanks I am currently undecided on my approach but will try a few things. The clown seems to spend its time around the heliofungia so i might move that and then add a smaller clown. If the new one dies then it can just live alone.

Any thoughts on our fish i can add?
 
Tank bred clowns not exactly sure on the type. They are a duller orange
 
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