I purchased 4 small tomato clownfish almost 1 1/2 years ago in hopes of breeding them and maybe turning a profit. I've done a ton of research into breeding, so I don't need help there. I'm ready to take my tomatos back because they're becoming aggressive towards other tankmates.
My question is, what to get to replace them. I'm thinking I want to stay with clownfish. Are there any particular ones that breed better in aquarium settings? Also, if I bought them small (1/2inch), how long would it take to bond with their partner and "get it on"?
Thank You
2007-03-30 03:39:04 · 4 answers · asked by Chris C 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
I also have 1 blue tang, 1 valentini puffer, 1 algae blenny, pencil urchin, skarlet shrimp, various dwarf hermits and some snails. It's a 55 gal tank with 10 gal refugium.
2007-03-30 04:32:17 · update #1
all damsels are aggressive. A clown is basically a Damsel. Also, DanielleZ is correct. All clowns are males and in one tank only 1 will become a female. If you have more than two males, they will become even more aggressive.
There are Clarkii Clown as well as allardi's that are good breeders, but they too are very aggressive fish. Chances are you aren't going to find a 1/2 inch clown. That is still a fry. Fish stores won't buy any clowns under 1". If you are trying to sell them as well, something good to know. (They usually won't survive the transfer or shipping.)
2007-04-01 11:34:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if you have done your research you should know all clown fish are MALES. Once in a tank only 1 will be come the alpha female. and one the alpha male the rest will not breed. they don't bond. The female chooses who will be the alpha male and that is who she will breed with. If he dies she chooses another. If she dies, the alpha male becomes female and chooses an alpha male to breed with.
All clowns are this way. A tank should have no more than 3 in a smaller tank for this reason.
What other tank mates do you have? Most clowns will become posessive since they are breeding. Not many other salt water fish will breed in an aquarium. I am currently breeding allardi clowns but they are agressive to everyone as well. The female beats the crap out of the male. Even chased him so fast he jumped and mashed his head against the hood and bulged his eye.
2007-03-30 11:03:11 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure sure I would give up yet. Depending on how young yours were when you go them it could still be a few months before they begin to mature. Some clowns don't mature until they are 2 years or older, honestly I don't know the typical age for tomatos, but that is something you should be able to find fairly easily.
If you bought them at 1/2" they were most likely tank raised and may even take a bit longer to mature.
The aggression you are seeing may well be a sign that they are beginning the pairing process They do get really touchy about then.
Personally, I would try to wait them out, you should have space in the tank for the other fish to stay clear for long enough to tell if they are pairing or not.
MM
2007-03-30 12:05:13 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You should, I think they are valuble
2007-03-30 10:43:19 · answer #4 · answered by Xiomy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋