can you put two different types of clownfish in the same tank?

Question

i have a 2 tomatoe clown fish and i want to get a perculla clown with them is that safe?
thanks*

Answer 1

I can tell you from first hand experience that this is a bad idea. I had 3 tomato clowns and tried to add a percula that was actually Bigger than the other 3. He was constantly chased and harrased. I took him back to the store 2 days later.

A good rule of thumb for like species:
It's okay if they're different colors and patterns. Tomatos, cinnamon, percula, ocellaris, and some skunk are all orange with white stripes. None of them should be put together. Same with different species. A blue tang and blue powder tang would not get along.

Answer 2

Cleaner's will help a bit but not much. Try 25-30% water changes. Use RO water for preparing your salt water. Normal water can have phosphates & other organic material which may help algal growth. You can also try phosphate absoring tanks (they should work on a small system). Light is good for your tank if you have corals, inverts or macro-algae that require it. If not then you can consider reducing it. Personally, I think your system is quiet new, so just give it some time. The difference between true and false perculas is the thickness of the black bands surrounding the white bands. In true percuas the black bands are very predominant. There should be no other difference. And yes both the true and false have been known to inter-breed, but it is difficult. I dont know much about the seizure. Have never heard a fish having one actually. Maybe you should ask this to a vet.

Answer 3

The two Tomato clowns will Probably Kill the Percula.
This chart recommends CAUTION
http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/compatibility_chart.cfm
Clowns CAN be aggressive towards other clowns but I have seen some strange things like my Tomato clown and Yellow Tang following each other around ALL day and hiding together at night.LOL

Answer 4

I agree - not a good idea. Same family, similar coloration and body shape - everything that points to future territiorial aggression.

I've seen it done in big display tanks (~500 gallon), but without that kind of room for each pair to have a separate territory, you're looking at a bad result.

Answer 5

no....they will try to compete by showing off their clowny feats and will die from suffocation due to intense laughter