For those who love clownfish, it is extremely important to learn information about them because this not only helps you to nurture clowns in the best way but also brings profits to yourself.
Frequently the question arises of mixing clownfish in same tank. The answer is yes, but there are some important considerations to take into account before mixing these fish together. This article will help you decide if mixing your clownfish is a good idea and what to do if it’s not!
See also:
- Peacekeeper Maroon Clownfish: 4 Awesome Secrets.
- 4 Difference Between True Vs False Percula Clownfish
Can You Mixing Clownfish In Same Tank?
Keeping clownfish in a communal tank is dependent not only on the amount of space available but also on their size and disposition. Contrary to common perception, not all clownfish species can coexist peacefully.
For example, cinnamon clowns should be maintained alongside larger species like tomato or saddleback clowns. They should only be maintained alongside smaller species, such as real percula clowns, provided you have a very large tank with enough hiding spots for the perculas.
- The maroon clown is a large and violent creature. Other species of clownfish are not tolerated by them, and if given a chance, they will kill or devour them! Regardless of tank size, you should only maintain two maroons together in an aquarium — one male and one female, if feasible.
- Saddleback clownfish are gentle and may be maintained alongside other smaller clownfish, such as the genuine percula. Saddlebacks may be kept with cinnamon or tomato clowns, but your tank needs are extremely spacious and ideally landscaped.
- True percula clowns are the simplest to keep and get along with each other most of the time. They’ll do well in a planted aquarium with an anemone and can get along with smaller clownfish like the black percula and fake percula.
- Pink skunk clowns are friendly by nature and may coexist with real percula clowns. This clownfish should not be maintained with its more aggressive cousins, the cinnamon and tomato clownfish. It’s also possible that it’ll live with the saddlebacks clowns.
Is Putting Multiple Clownfish In One Tank Necessary?
Clownfish often live in small groups in the wild, but they are not schooling fish. They can be considered “pairing” fish, where one dominant female and one smaller male will mate for life. You should only house two clownfish together with an anemone in captivity.
Most animals live in pairs or other small groups. Clownfish don’t need to be kept separate from one another, but should always keep company with their own species. This way they can still find romance while living peacefully without any aggressive behaviors.
Clownfish Compatibility
Isn’t it true that all fish are the same?
Wrong: People and fish have a lot in common. Some people get along well and make good neighbours. Some people shouldn’t live next door to other fish, or even in the same town. Because fish have distinct characteristics, habits, and behaviours, they may be fearful, hostile, or unable to survive in the same tank as specific species.
Clownfish are no exception. Some fish will get along swimmingly with clownfish, while others will not. While there are no hard and fast restrictions for what you may put in a tank, having an understanding of which species will fight for food and even location in the tank will help you care for clownfish and maintain a calm fish tank.
But how do you know for sure? To begin, understand this: You can’t buy random fish, or even random accents and fish tank décor, without influencing the health of what’s already in the tank or what more you wish to incorporate.
Will Different Species Of Clownfish Fight Each Other?
If different species of clownfish feel threatened or their area is being invaded, they will battle. The most violent are maroon clownfish, which will not only kill but also consume lesser kinds of clownfish! When many couples are placed in a communal tank, they will frequently battle to the death until only one pair remains.
In both wild-caught and tank-bred clownfish, adding an anemone frequently increases aggressiveness. For the right to host the anemone, the clowns will very certainly battle to the death. Even the tiniest genuine percula clownfish can become aggressive toward other members of the same species, especially in a tank that is too small (which is anything less than 20-gallons, in my opinion).
What Can I Do To Decrease Aggression In My Clownfish Down?
You should maintain clownfish in as large an aquarium as possible to decrease aggressiveness and promote a more tranquil community tank atmosphere – the bigger, the better! Also, it would help if you strived to replicate their native environment, which is an oceanic coral reef, as nearly as possible – warm water, lush vegetation, living rock, sandy bottom, and so forth.
Allowing for times of darkness (12 hours) will also be beneficial since clownfish are more aggressive during the day when there is lots of (sun)light. It’sIt’s also a good idea to have more than one anemone in the tank, so the clownfish done don’t have to compete for it. Finally, only maintain clownfish of the same species in the same aquarium, with two per tank.
Some Other Related Question
Can you mix clownfish?
Is it possible to combine clowns or have more than two? Yes, but they’re going to fight. Having multiple species in the same tank is like having two competing gangs fighting in the same neighborhood.
How many clownfish in a tank ?
Regardless of tank size, it is typically recommended that no more than two clownfish be kept together in a tank, due primarily to their naturally aggressive and territorial nature.
If you already have a clownfish in your home aquarium and want to add another to the tank, be sure that they are not only smaller but also of the same species. That way, the larger one will then become female, which will reduce its aggressive tendencies. Clownfish need a tank size no smaller than 20 gallons, so make sure you offer them adequate space.
What clownfish can go together?
Wrasses, damselfish, tangs, dartfish, angelfish, blennies, puffers, corals, anemones, and gobies all get along nicely with clownfish.
Can I have 3 or 4 clownfish in a tank?
No, It is not recommended. As said earlier, if you added 3 at the same time, 2 would’ve paired up and the odd clown out would have been bullied to death by the pair.
Conclusion
To summarize, keeping several species of clownfish together is doable if you have a large tank with lots of area for the fish to swim and explore. Because of their aggressive and territorial character, some of the larger species of clownfish may attack or bully the smaller ones when confined to a tiny tank. It’sIt’s critical to provide a safe aquatic environment that mimics their native “wild” habitat.
Hopefully, you found this post both entertaining and educational. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and best of luck with your clownfish saltwater tank!
Annette M. Chaney is an experienced marine biologist with over 20 years of experience as an aquarist and fishkeeper. She started her first aquarium at a young age, filling it with frogs and goldfish obtained from the ten-cent pet store.
Annette grew up caring for and breeding African Cichlids, which led to a hobby in high school that doubled as a profitable means. Attending Reed College gave her time to solidify herself as an accomplished aquarium caretaker with an eye for sales. After that, from 2009 – 2013, she studied at Roger Williams University – one of the most prestigious universities for Aquaculture and Aquarium in USA. She is the founder of AquariumCircle since 2010.