Just checking... 1 or 2 clowns in a 13.5?

[Reeficheep]

Hi all,

I'm sure you're sick of this question, but would you recommend keeping 1 or 2 (ocellaris) clowns in a smaller tank? (Fluval Evo 13.5g). They would be the only fish, and although plenty of people have 2 clowns AND other fish in their evos, just want to get this right first time.

For the 1-

ADVANTAGES- no chance of aggression (except against my fingers), more room, less bioload. I've also read they can be perfectly happy by themselves
DISADVANTAGES- no interaction with other fish (and thus no natural behaviour), may get lonely? If a male was ever introduced later, may have aggression problems until submission.

For the 2 (basically reverse)

ADVANTAGES- Possible breeding (not that I have the commitment or experience to raise fry), natural interaction, more interesting to watch.
DISADVANTAGES- Less space, more bioload, possible aggression, more expense (having to buy 2, slightly more food, etc (not really a big deal)).

FYI, this tank is only in the planning phase and would be my first reef. Not planning on keeping a nem (seems like a pain). Bottom line, I just want happy fish and not cram them into something their not happy with.

TIA.

 

[piranhaman00]

0

 

[Reeficheep]

Not a big enough tank for ocellaris? (Sorry, should have specified the type of clown. Not a maroon or anything). What fish would you recommend instead?

 

[zerozero]

I suspect the 0 is because not everyone likes clowns.

I have an Evo 13.5g with 2 ocellaris clowns. The fish are absolutely iconic and have we no regrets. I initially wanted two small ones, but my LFS strongly advised me against that as they said that I would have to expect aggression as the fish figured out their hierarchy. Not something for a beginner to want to deal with.

I'm also new to reef keeping (since 30th June this year). The fish have been very easy to look after eating pellets and live food. We also have corals of various sorts and added a rock flower anemone last week.

An Evo can definitely handled two ocellaris with one more nano fish. We added a royal gramma.

 

[ScRmptisSnkhds723]

Hi all,

I'm sure you're sick of this question, but would you recommend keeping 1 or 2 (ocellaris) clowns in a smaller tank? (Fluval Evo 13.5g). They would be the only fish, and although plenty of people have 2 clowns AND other fish in their evos, just want to get this right first time.

For the 1-

ADVANTAGES- no chance of aggression (except against my fingers), more room, less bioload. I've also read they can be perfectly happy by themselves
DISADVANTAGES- no interaction with other fish (and thus no natural behaviour), may get lonely? If a male was ever introduced later, may have aggression problems until submission.

For the 2 (basically reverse)

ADVANTAGES- Possible breeding (not that I have the commitment or experience to raise fry), natural interaction, more interesting to watch.
DISADVANTAGES- Less space, more bioload, possible aggression, more expense (having to buy 2, slightly more food, etc (not really a big deal)).

FYI, this tank is only in the planning phase and would be my first reef. Not planning on keeping a nem (seems like a pain). Bottom line, I just want happy fish and not cram them into something their not happy with.

TIA.

Maybe to small, I have a pair in my 30 gallon reef and even then I'd say it's just about enough room and many stocking lists would not put them in anything below 20 gal however you may be able to get away with 13.5

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

If you google the 'appropriate size for a pair of clowns', the answer would be a 20 gallon as the minimum tank size,

But in reality, so many people keep a pair in 10-13.5-15 gallon tanks, and no one will hold it against you if you do too. But if you do it, I certainly would not add another fish.

Keep in mind that clowns can live for 20+ years and grow to 4"-5". Most folks that are cramming fish into a 13.5 are not thinking long term.

 

[gastone]

I purchase off a guy that was getting out two IM concept 20 tanks. They are 10g nanos with a common wall. With it came three pairs of ocellaris. Outside of premnas (gsms...still refer to them as premnas), I'm not even a clown fan. Two pairs have been upsized to a 20g and 30g respectively. But in the interim I've acquired (again, came with a package deal) another pair. So I currently have two pair of ocellaris in 10g tanks. They are only a few years old so they aren't overly large...yet. Eventually long term arrangements will have to be made.