Maroon clowns and?
Hello Bob,
<Adam>
I Have a 6 foot, approximately 75 gallon marine tank which houses a pair of
gold-striped maroon clowns. The tank looks a bit empty so I would like to
add another pair of clowns. In the past I have kept pairs of Clarkii and
rubrocinctus clowns together with out much trouble so would it be ok to put
in a pair of either of these with the maroons?
<Not likely a good idea... Maroons are on the high end of pugnaciousness when it comes to Clownfishes... and this size, volume tank is full up clown-wise>
I would prefer to get
clarkii's because I can get some that are tank raised but I know the
rubrocinctus grow larger and are much more aggressive. I plan to add
anemones, namely bubble tips for the maroons and possibly rubrocinctus and
Malu's for the clarkiis. Would the clarkiis be a better option because they
host with another species? What would you recommend? Are either of these
choices possible? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Adam Harbeck
<I would not add any other Clownfishes... maybe another family group member...? Surgeonfishes? Rabbitfishes?... Bob Fenner>

Mixing Tank bred Clown Fish?
I would fist like to say that this site has been a huge help to me and
to my fish tank.
<Thank you!  that is what we are here for.>
You guys have been able to answer many questions that I have not been able to find answers to anywhere else thanks for providing this wonderful resource.
I have been getting mixed answers on this question and would like to
know if it is ok to mix certain species of TANK BRED clown fish?
<Sadly mixed answers is quite common in the hobby.  With mixing almost any fish, especially clowns, it's really depends on the size of the tank.>
I know that it is not ok to mix wild clown fish but would it be ok to mix a young pair of tank bred Ocellaris Clown fish orange and white with a young pair of tank bred Black and White Percula Clown fish.
I have been to a few mail order sites (LiveAquaria.com and Saltwaterfish.com) that say its ok to mix these tank bred fish if they are introduced into your tank at the same time.  
<Introducing fish at the same time gives them all a chance to set up their territories without the worry of fish already in the tank having pre-established turf.  As for these fish I have seen tanks with the B&W Percs in with Ocellaris, but these tanks were over 90 gallons in size with lots of Live rock.>
I have a 55 gallon tank with 80lbs of live rock and 50lbs of live sand. I have had the pair of Ocellaris in my tank for 2 weeks. Any info would be a huge help. Thanks Brendan
<In my opinion a 55 gallon tank is really not the best choice for this amount of clowns.  Clowns are nutty little fish.  They are very territorial, and have no problem pushing other fish out of the way for food.  So, the idea is that you can't have too many in a tank without someone having problems.  I would say that 2 pairs wouldn't really work in a 55 gallon tank.  I have a single pair of Ocellaris clown in a 55 and couldn't imagine them sharing it with other Damsels.  There are always stories of this set up working for someone, but I think dealing with saltwater fish it is better to go with less fish for safety.  
Good luck with the saltwater tanks, and with the clowns, they quickly became some of my favorite fish! -Magnus.>

Damsel Compatibility (8/19/04)
Hi, I was wondering if clownfish and yellow-tailed damsels would get along. <Both can be aggressive, though the yellow-tail has a reputation as one of the mellower damsels. It depends on tank size (smaller is worse) and which sort of clown you are choosing. Some, e.g. Maroons, are more aggressive than others, e.g. ocellaris. I have this combination in my 80G reef with lots of LR, they seldom even interact in any way at all, ant there has been no aggression. That said, there are never any guarantees. Hope this helps, Steve Allen.>

Nemo vs. Yellow-Tail Follow-up (8/23/04)
Thanks for your help. <No problem.> I don't know the name of the clown fish but by the name of "Nemo". <Probably Amphiprion ocellaris.> I have a 30 gallon tank, and I had a healthy tank with 3 of the "Nemo" fish and everything died including my live rocks, <ouch!> I started over and this yellow-tailed damsel has been in the tank all by himself for 3 months and I wanted to add more, so I added some more yellow-tailed damsels and he attacked them often, well he finally stopped but I was worried about adding another Nemo. <Having been alone for 3 month in a smaller tank, this damsel will not likely accept any tankmates. Two options: (1)get rid of him entirely--most LFS will give a credit--or (2) rearrange the decor hen you add a new fish so that he may lose his bearings and feel new himself. Hope this helps, Steve Allen.>

Nemo and Yellow-Tail OK Together (8/25/04)
Thanks Steve, I did as you said and rearrange everything, then added the "Nemo" I watched the tank non-stop for an hour or so, and he didn't touch the fish.  Your idea worked thank you so much!!!! <Glad to hear. Hope it stays that way.>  If you don't mind could you give me some extra points on how to NOT kill everything again! HA! <The best I can give you on that is to carefully analyze the event for contributing/precipitating factors and try to learn from any errors. Good luck! Steve Allen.>

Eviction Notice for a Clown? (7/25/04)
Hi Ya'll <Steve Allen tonight.>
Absolutely LOVE this site and all you guys and gals - mucho info - spend hours -reading! <Me too.> So far haven't seen this question - here's SW Tank Info:
quest. near end (LOL)
TANK AGE: 1989
SIZE: 120 G (5'L X 2'W X 3 1/2'H)
w/skimmer and auto evap. and SW/FW replacement sys.- its awesome
Mag pump - 200 GPH w/lots of circulation has 6 extension arms
ORIGINAL TANK INHABITANTS:
2 - Choco chip stars ( 1 1/2" & 2 ") named: Chewy & Crispy
4 - Feather Dusters
1 - Hawkfish ( 3 1/4") - friendly let's me measure him - named: Rocky
1 - Pomacentrus (alleni or coelestis - can't tell - he's 2 1/2" very social
- comes when called named: Blue Guy
1 - Coral Banded Shrimp - 3 +" named Crusty
1 - Heteractis Malu - named: Rover - cause he likes to roam all over
2 - Finger Corals - over 6" well spaced apart (LOL)
2 - Distinct groups of Purple Mushrooms  - they pretty much move on their
own (LOL)
50 Lbs. Live rock
1 1/2" crushed coral
Live Grass and Live Kelp - keep them both mowed
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: Added 1 yr ago
1 - Astropecten articulatus (beaded sea star) 3" named: Tiki - she's a beautiful deep purple
1 - Thalassoma lucasanum (male) - 4" my final tankmate - named: Phllippe likes to be hand fed and touched - great wonderful dog - I mean fish - very tame - was able to visit him in Fish Lady's quarantine for a month before I brought him to his new home - and here lies prob he's been home for 8 months
- no problem BUT ....
3 - Amphiprion bicinctus (real clowns) (1)- 3" & (2) - 1 1/2" all were from same family - named: Sampson, Delilia and Chip <interesting name combination> - and all of a sudden Sampson is being a butthead bully - his name fits - Delilia and Chip ignore him - period - as much as I love my Sampson - I think he needs to move to a new home - he picks on him (Phillippe) - thank goodness Phillippe has plenty of places to hide - and likes to play w/us - otherwise he would have gone nuts
along time ago. OK here it is: (2) parts: Should I evict (sigh) Sampson? (My Fish Lady wants him big time - said he's a primo fish) -  if so how? He is a wily rascal. OR (hope) Try to keep Sampson busy with a new toy? and not Phillippe.
OBTW - all sys. are go - no spikes - no drops - absolutely beautiful tank probably due to my  and my honey's diligent maint. - my friends each have a well rounded vitamin packed variety diet - they each better than us - suited to each one - some times they cheat and share. (LOL)
Sigh - I am at a loss - HELP - SOS - can I keep him or let him move away from home - Alane
<Are you writing from Europe? I checked every aquarium book I own--and I own just about every current US saltwater book--and could not find this species. An internet search shows it to be form the Red Sea, and thus apparently not common in the US trade. I did happen upon a study on the internet, written in Swedish, which I read/speak, that says they are aggressively territorial to any perceived threat. Like all Clownfishes, it lives singly or in pairs, not in threesomes, which are always a bad idea. Perhaps Sampson is odd man out and is taking out his frustrations on the Wrasse. Or maybe he finds the wrasse, a very active fish, to be threatening in some way. In any case, 3 clowns aren't likely to work out in the long run. In your shoes, I'd reduce to two, and it sounds lick Delilah and Chip have already paired up. For info on how to catch him, search WWM for "capture" or "catch" and "fish," etc. Good luck.>

ANEMONEFISHES FIGHTING/COMPATIBILITY
I had a pair of tank raised BW false Percs. and the female jumped out and was lost.  I have a small 25 gallon reef tank, I recently tried to add a smaller tank raised BW false perc.  The bigger and remaining male is beating up on the new one. << Unfortunate, but common. >> Will they ever be able to live happily ever after?  << I doubt it.  Pairing anemonefish is a crap shoot in my mind.  It is unfortunate that you lost your larger female.  If you add a small enough fish, you may luck out and have them pair up still.  However it is risky. >>  What do you suggest to coax them into getting along? How do you feel about putting the bigger one in a breeder tank or QT within the tank for awhile to see if it will settle down, is this effective or will it cause more problems? << Removing the larger fish for a week may help.  At least it will help the new fish have time and a chance to settle in. >> If this is effective how long should I leave him in there? I also recently added a tank raised rose tip BA that was doing amazing.  The original male never goes in it, the new false perc. is going in it to get away from the beatings, the BTA is very mad and is all shrunk up it has even unattached itself from the rock does it not like all the attention it is getting from the new false perc. or is it taking a beating too?  << Not sure what would cause this, but one option is to add a screen (like a strawberry basket) over the anemone to prevent the fishes from harassing it. >> Thank you
<< Hope that helps, Blundell >>

Clownfish Compatibility
Hello, <Hi Aaron.> thank you for all of your help in the past, I'll be as brief as possible, I know you guys get hammered with questions so here goes. <All questions welcomed.>
Tank:  20 gallon Nano Reef setup 1/10/04 with 30 lbs live rock (4 large holey pieces) aquascaped with about a dozen caves.  72 watts pc lighting 1 6700 light 1 actinic blue 1 powerhead connected to a diy diffusion intake drawing water from bottom and ejecting along the top approx 100 gph.  1 powerhead drawing water from bottom to mid level ejection and one large TetraTec filter that fills and empties (bought if for the internal heater), but the wave action is pretty nice, if constantly fills then empties in a rush of water, almost a gallon at a time- this draws form the middle and ejects at the surface and also houses the heater.  5" of live aragonite sand.  temp 76 density 1.024 PH 8.2 Kh 8 Calcium 450 with no supplements (aragonite substrate I guess).  Nice coralline algae formation after just a few months- water motion I think.  Whole rock structure is purple with some lime green spots here and there- I do believe red legged hermits eat coralline in nutrient poor systems, so I don't use them. 0 Ammonia 0 Nitrite Under 10 ppm Nitrate.
The live rock was uncured when I got it, I noticed 4 patches of button polyps and 3 clove colonies after a few months of running, some buttons fell of hear and there but they reattached in other locations.  I added 10 blue legged hermits and 10 Nerites after about a month.  In march I added what I thought was an algae blenny- was told it was anyway, turned out to be a scooter dragonet- but he adapted nicely and is a real joy, so I never got the algae blenny- I thought since they look a little alike they might have problems? <Scooter blenny's generally tend to eat pods. Algae blenny's generally algae.>  True?  Anyway I add a small Linckia star and a coral banded shrimp in April.  The coral banded shrimp will sometimes grab the dragonet, but doesn't seem to hurt him- so I left it be.  When I bought the inverts I picked up two Tomato clowns, tank raised and QT'd them in a 10 gallon with some old live rock.  They where small, about 3/4 of an inch and seemed to get along just fine in QT.  Well, I happened upon a bubble tip in May- beautiful specimen, white and brown with a florescent green tint under actinics, was firmly attached, tight mouth and responded well to external stimulus.  I qt this in a separate tank, 10 gallon with crushed gravel substrate so he couldn't get too stuck, 20 watt 50/50 which seemed ok, I removed him from qt after 2 weeks, he was eating well and his expansion was impressive.  I put the BTA in the 20 and it has stayed in a spot where one of the caves forms between 2 large pieces of rock.  Again, all seemed normal so after I few more weeks I introduced the 2 clowns- here's where things get funny I guess.  Ok, they stayed together in the qt always, I figured it was a shoaling impulse as they where way too young to pair off.  For about 10 minutes they stayed together in their new home. Then one of the clowns sees the BTA and jumps in, the other does the same and for one night I had them both in one Anemone playing happily and things where good.  The next morning one of the clowns is out and the other is in (the anemone, not the tank)  So I observe the one in stays in, won't come out, not at all, the other approaches, but won't get further than the edge before it does its weird epileptic submission thing and swims off.  Ok, so it's a strange love triangle now, but the weirdest part is yet to come.  I feed once a day.  The pumps go off for 5 minutes and I drop in Selco soaked blood worms mixed with shrimp pellets and formula one.  The 'in clownfish' would only take the food that fell near the anemone, and gave some to its host, the other free swimming 'out clown' would eat a bunch and the scooter would take what fell a little further in th column.  I had a hypothesis at this point.  The out clown was going to get bigger and stronger, more food, and would soon evict the in clown.  This process took about a week and was a little disturbing when it came to blows.  They locked jaws and fought, the in clown suffered a tear in the left dorsal fin, the out clown suffered a split tail, both had marks around the jaws.  I contemplated taking them out at this point, or one anyway, but since it was the weekend I just observed the behavior over a few hours, net in hand of course.  Anyway, in clown got kicked out and the out clown, the lesser aggressive of the two became the in clown.  With strong feelings of inadequacy the ejected clown went to a remote corner of the tank and stayed there for a number of days.  They both healed well from the experience and there is no fighting now, just the shuddery thing from the once in clown now.  The clown currently in the BTA would now allow the other to stay at the edge of the mantle and do some brushing but the fighting was over, at least I thought.  A new type of fighting, chasing thing started happening, but this was much quicker and less aggressive and they would actually chase each other, rather than just one chasing the other.  The clown that resides in the BTA became a little larger and the tiffs became centered in a small cave near where the edge of the BTA touches.  Today there where a clutch of reddish orange eggs in a mass on the rock that makes up that cave. <Congratulations> Neither clown seems very interested in it - perhaps first time spawn stupidity?  Don't know, but I don't have the means or the time to raise clowns, so I think the situation will correct itself.  I figured I would pass this info on to people who may be interested in the pairing process- it's often a little disturbing to watch this take place, but perhaps under the right conditions, i.e. lots of caves and a host anemone, they won't actually kill each other- one will probably stay in the host, allowing the other free reign of the rest of the column- any more than two and you can count on someone dying unless you have two anenomes- and I wouldn't do this, too many dangers, power heads, heaters, ideal locations, just too much to deal with.  Also if you are looking for clowns to pair up, and breed regularly, the Tomato clown is ideal.  Although less popular than percula or ocellaris, its host anemone is much hardier and its sting usually doesn't hurt other fishes too bad, a carpet will likely kill a scooter but the BTA just makes him run if he gets too close, looks like it does hurt him though if he's being careless.  Also, tank raised clowns are more used to being around other clowns because they are usually reared in a common grow out.  But the pairing process is indicative of other animal's fight for dominance, like wolves, the stronger animal is going to lead, and a fight is almost inevitable and squabbles happen from time to time that can and do result in fish injury- Before you go and buy two beautiful gold or white bar maroons and throw them in a tank, be forewarned that these squabbles are very often deadly and even the mating process is quite deadly for these temperamental beauties.  High quality nutrient poor water is a must as these injuries can easily become infected.  Breeding for most is out of the question, for me at least, I simply don't have the knowledge, but the pairing relationship is fascinating and I believe beneficial to the health and welfare of the animal.  Both my clowns will now feed the anemone, I don't have to worry about it.  They both clean it, although the center part is reserved for the female, the male is allowed to approach and brush the edge of the mantle.  I believe the fight for dominance is triggered much more strongly when a suitable host anemone is present, which in turn determines the role of each fish.  Pairing will happen anyway, but it may take longer.  I'm sorry I got away from the questions I was going to ask, here they go:
1)  I can tell the male REALLY wants to be in the center of the anemone, he also seems to want it for himself- is this normal? <Yes. Anemone's represent protection.> He sometimes goes in, the female lets him actually, but then he runs out to the edge again.  I think if the female wasn't there, he'd get in, but when she leaves, he follows her.  Is this typical of most clown species, I mean the behavior/obsession with the anemone? <Yes, in my experience. I think also that as the anemone gets larger there will be room for both of them.>
2)  I mentioned that the cleaner shrimp sometimes grabs my scooter and holds him- doesn't hurt him I don't think, no marks, and the scooter seems to not really be upset by this, ever hear of this, he never bothers the clowns as they gang up on him if he gets too close to the anemone. <I have heard of them becoming cleaner when they are small but as they get larger this might possibly change.>
3)  The scooter is allowed near the anemone, the female will sometimes push him a little out of the way, but for the most part, they don't bother him. <Lots of times its dangerous for scooters and mandarins to be near anemones, they don't know what they are and can get eaten if the anemone is large>  He's docile- do they recognize that he is no threat?  They will pick up hermits and drop them other places if they get too close, Ceriths too- a rock near the anemone they use for breeding is so off limits its got algae on it, the only place in the tank.  Normal? <The breeding site is off limits to everyone and everything.  Very normal.>
4)  I don't use a skimmer, I do water changes every other day.  I have two five gallon containers filled with sea water. and change a gallon or two every other day.  If I used a skimmer would I then be able to wait longer for water changes? <That really depends on your water quality. Are you doing the multiple water changes because it needs it or because you like your tank very fresh?> I refill evaporation with ro water every day, but I don't use ANY chemicals.  The button polyps that came on the rock are thriving, I have mostly brown ones but there are a few purplish ones too.  And the clove polyps too seem good.  On a nano like this, are water changes better than using a skimmer- I mean the smallest skimmer I can find is for like a 100 gallon tank- isn't that over skimming? <There are some smaller models out there and some people use modifications of skimmers for a nano.  I think just doing the water changes seems to be working for you.  Skimmers however take chemicals out of the waters (such as what the polyps and cloves are putting into the water) that you might not be getting out otherwise.>
5)  I was once told that my lighting wasn't strong enough for a BTA, so when I placed him, I placed him on a rock and turned the powerheads off.  He moved to the bottom of the tank.  Are Power Compacts stronger (per watt) than normal florescence?  I hear this 4 or 5, even seven watts per gallon thing all the time, but honestly I don't buy it. <Seven watts per gallon is based on SPS and a lot of the other anemones. A lot of it depends on the spectrum of lighting. Power compacts do provide the actinic spectrum and since you mentioned actinic it appears your anemone is getting what he needs.> Isn't it more dependant on type, proximity, color?  I mean if I put a 250 MH light over one side of a 6 foot tank that's only 100 gallons, that's only 2.5 watts per gallon, but I bet you could grow Acropora on that side- no? <Depends on the type of coral.  As a general rule its a good idea to provide the correct lighting for the coral and or anemone.  To do the research necessary for both.> And probably low light mushrooms or soft corals on the other side?  Off topic but interesting none the less.  
6)  I QT my bubble tip, was this potentially dangerous due to the removal process? <Very smart> IE they tear really easy- I thought because it contained LFS tank water, in it's flesh, I would run the risk of  contamination- is it better just to acclimate them in the main system? <Quarantine is always better. There is always the possibility that there is something wrong with them and they might not do well. So best to make sure they are healthy and okay BEFORE they go into the tank.> Small risk?  
7)  I was thinking of doing a pink skunk species tank- I know that the natural host is Stichodactyla mertensii but I hear they will sometimes go for long tentacled, Macrodactyla doreensis.  Is this true? <Depends on the fish.> I know its MUCH easier to care for-  I do hear horror stories about carpets all the time- with a little knowledge and a good specimen it's not impossible is it?  I was thinking a show tank with some strong pc lighting, and just the carpet and one pink clown (don't ever want to do the paring thing again really). <I'm thinking that carpets might need a bit stronger than Power compacts.> Anyway I would like to see a species tank with a huge Macrodactyla doreensis specimen and some nice coralline covered rock, perhaps some macro algae, but if its natural host is the carpet, I would like to do, don't know if I will, but I'd like to.
8)  I observed scarlet hermits eating coralline algae in an 11 gallon nano. This one is skimmed and strongly lit. Very nutrient poor. I have to feed the corals or they don't do well at all. 36 watts pc and colony and soft corals. I notice when the coralline grows on the pump, crabs will climb up there and eat it. There is little or no hair algae, so I started dropping in algae wafers. There going on a year old so I don't think they got much longer-<Can live a very long time. Have friends with some three years old.>  Have you witnessed this before? Crabs eating coralline algae? <Crabs will eat anything.> The red legged ones that are a little over an inch, the Mexican variety Clibanarius perhaps?  
Sorry this is so long, thought some of the information might be useful to people trying to pair clowns- I failed many times with ocellaris clowns, gave up and took them back when they fought, percula's too. <In my experience they will pair off given time. They don't always have to have an anemone.>  Maroons- no way, so I was thinking of trying pink skunks- I believe they are one of the prettiest marine fishes-  will an anemone benefit or hinder a pair?  And since their natural host is so difficult to care for, should I go anemone less. <They will be just fine without an anemone.>  Perhaps some big Ricordea?  Just wondering because I've only been successful with the anemone. Thanks for your help and have a good one. <Nice letter Aaron, and good experiences. Clownfish really don't have to have anemone's to be successful in a tank.  Personally I would try the pink skunk without one.>
Aaron <Good luck, MacL>

Peculiar Percula  6/14/04
Hey guys!  I hope everyone is doing well.
<Thanks!  You too!>
I am writing to follow up with you from my earlier e-mail about my clownfish having Brooklynella.  I think I've pulled him through the ordeal but I'm worried that his appetite isn't back to normal.  Also, they are still not very active in the QT.
<Probably all normal after a bout with disease.  Do experiment with a variety of high quality foods, including some that contain marine algae (I am a fan of Ocean Nutrition's frozen Pygmy Angel formula).  Piscine Energetics Mysis is also a good choice for energy dense, quality and irresistible food.>
I'm worried about putting them back into the main tank and being harassed by the other fish.
<I would suggest that the fish stay in quarantine for at least six weeks.  If it has been less, I would not move them back.  If you have other fish that are likely to harass the ones presently in quarantine, then you need to rethink your stocking choices.>
I have a pair of B& W O. Clownfish and my two O & W P. Clownfish.  I was told by two LFS that they would be fine.  Will these two different types get along?  I noticed the O & W went downhill shortly after the intro. of the B &W's.  I'm worried that they will be harassed if they think the O & W are less than healthy.
<It's possible, but your 90 should have plenty of space for these fish to stake their own territory.  Careful observation will tell you if they are getting along.  Sometimes this requires observing from a distance since the fish will go into "feeding mode" when you approach the tank.  If their is aggression, you will have to make a choice.>
They have been in my QT for approx. a  month. Do you think the lack of activity comes from them being unhappy in a 10 gal QT?  I appreciate your advice.
<I would keep then in QT for at least another two weeks to ensure that they are disease free and eating well.  As long as the water quality in the QT is decent and you have some cover to avoid stress, 10gal should be fine for temporary quarters.  Best Regards.  Adam>

How Many Clowns Is Too Many? (5/29/04)
Just a quick question. In a 240 gallon tank with lots of live rock could I mix in few percula clowns with a maroon? I currently have one percula in the tank, just purchased a maroon which in quarantine.  Assuming these two live happily should I not risk buying anymore perculas? <This is a tricky situation. Maroons tend to get very aggressive with age, but you have a nice big tank. It's possible that a couple of Percs would pair up and that they and the Maroon will steer clear of one another, but impossible to be sure. You would have to keep a close eye on things and be prepared to remove the Maroon.> Thanks <Hope this helps. Steve Allen>

Not "He", "She" - Clownfish aggression
>Can't find the answer I'm looking for on the message board or archives.
>>That can be interpreted in a number of ways.
>I am a devotee of Bob Fenner, even bought the book.
>>More than one, mate! Check that home page!
>Your site has allowed me to flourish in my new hobby. Here's my story. I had two 1" happy Ocellaris Clownfish (Tank Bred) they are the only fish I have. One jumped out and died.
>>Argh, they tend to do that when left out of water.
>I bought another, of equal size, quarantined it, and added it to the tank.
>>Alright.
>On the first day my old fish seemed to love the newcomer. They swam and fed great. They showed no aggression. However, when the lights went out the newcomer went to the same sleeping corner as the old guy and both fought something fierce for over half an hour before I pulled the new guy, put him back in quarantine and returned him to the store.
>>Was one of them clearly winning? Was there enough physical damage (beyond some torn fins) that led you to believe they couldn't sort it out themselves overnight? Not saying it's the best thing to let them be, but sometimes when you've got one that has the moxie to hand it back to the established fish it can be worth letting them have their row and get over it.
>Is this normal?
>>Most especially if the established fish has been the dominant fish in the tank, and even MORE especially if this fish has undergone, or begun to undergo, its sex change from male to female. Once this happens it can be a very tough situation for a single new fish in a small(er) tank (I'm talking horizontal territory here, less than 6' in length, roughly).
>I want to add another clown but don't know if I should add a smaller one or a bigger one than the old guy. I love my old fish and won't get rid of him. He even has a small fin like Nemo.
>>That's tough, my friend. It very well may be too late. Do NOT add a fish larger than this one at this point. Honestly, if I were going to try it, I would add a group of 3-5 smaller males, all at the same time. The feasibility of this is really quite dependant upon tank size.
>P.S. I have had this clown for 7 months. The tank is established, rock only, for 10 months. Also, the clown never leaves the right top corner of the tank except when I added the new clownfish, then he was all over.
>>She, I'm afraid, or "super-he". In the clownfish world, women rule the roost.
>Any help is appreciated, Jim
>>Jim, if your system is 72 gallons or more, then I might consider trying the small group trick. Otherwise, I think you're going to have to consider entirely different species (I don't think you mentioned the species of clown here, there are many that are QUITE difficult to work with because of their tendency to aggression - damned damsel relatives!). I hope this helps answer your question better, and you may want to do more research into female/male aggression and housing. Marina 

Clownfish aggression Follow-up
>Thanks Marina.
>>You're welcome.
>I will try a smaller clown. The species is Ocellaris.
>>Then you have a better chance of success than with, say, a maroon.
>The surviving clown is not the most aggressive of the two and she is probably a he as the clown that died was only a fraction larger, if at all.
>>Alright, there *may* be a chance here, but remember, if the change of sex has already taken place, then ONLY a smaller fish will have any hope.  Even then, it can be iffy and a divider may be in order for a while.  There are other methods of introduction, which include removing the established fish to another tank for anywhere from a few days to 2-3 weeks.
>I may be on the border line of successfully adding another mate. My tank is only 15 gallons. I may have to deal with one clown and perhaps one other species of tank raised fish. It's sad seeing two fish duke it out. There was a lot of lip biting and tugging going on.
>>As long as it's THAT, and not one fish being driven relentlessly into a corner with no "fight" in it, then there's a good chance for success.
>Thanks,
Jim
>>Best of luck, Jim, and don't forget the "time-out tank" method.  Marina

-False Percs-
Hi ya. <Heyyy, Kevin here>
I have a 190 Litre tank. with 40Kg Live Rock, 300w Metal Halide with twin T5 Actinic, 2 x Power heads and Eheim External filter fitted with Marine Media.
Live stock = One Purple\Pink Dotty Back, 1 x Purple Sea Urchin and 2 x Ocellaris Clownfishes. <ok>
The problem seems to be with the Ocellaris Clownfishes, When I purchased them (about 2 weeks ago, they came with the 40KG of live rock and the former keeper has had them for a couple of years) they were lovely, always hanging together and looked like they were inseparable. Over the past couple of days I have noticed the smaller one is being got at by the larger of the two on quite a regular basis. <Welcome to the world of clownfish 'love'> It appears that the larger female is swimming towards the smaller male and goes to take a bite out of him (sometimes doesn't make contact) the male responds by curving it's body and twitching before swimming up behind her. <Ooo, sounds like it may be spawning behavior!>  Today I noticed what looks like a single white spot on the bottom of its mouth, although have no concerns in this being white spot as he still has his appetite and is feeding well and my LFS said it was probably a battle scar. <Likely, they don't always play nice.>
I understand this behaviour may be the result of the female trying to show dominance over the male and wondered if this will continue for long ? <The dominance issue will last their entire lives. If the two clowns were incompatible, the female would likely have torn up the male by now.> should I be concerned for the male ? Also I have not as yet added any Anemone's or Mushrooms, should I consider adding some soon, would this help calm this behaviour ? It would be a shame to have to separate them as they look so nice together when they get on. <I don't think there's a problem here, but keep an eye out for torn fins. Should the male begin to look ragged, you should separate them, otherwise light some candles, pop in some Barry White, and dim the lights because I think some other stuff is about to go down.>
I cant understand why they are doing this when they have been living together in previous keepers tank for a couple of years quite happily, surely they would have established who is the dominate one by now and know each others place... <I'd pick up the aptly titled book by Joyce Wilkerson 'Clownfishes' which has excellent information about breeding these critters, which may just happen to you! Good luck! -Kevin>
Thank you for you time.

Clowns
I believe I received some bad advice from my local pet store who told me
I  could add a 2 inch saddleback to my 75 gallon aquarium which has a
2.5 inch Clarkii already inhabiting it.<Bad advice indeed>  There's ~ 80 #'s of liverock and
only 1 green Chromis in the aquarium.  The Clarke had only been added
about 3 days earlier.  It has been chasing the new clown frequently but
without much aggression.<It will become more aggressive>  Do you think these can cohabitate or would you
just separate them now?<Separate the two species of clownfish ASAP>  Thanks for the advice.<IanB>
Jeff

Painted Sweetlips, maroon clown aggression follow up 3/13/04
Hi Adam, I really appreciate your advise!
<Glad to!>
I did not realize the maroon clown was so aggressive-- I am finding him almost too aggressive! He is really bullying the Rock Angel. Will look for appropriate food! Nonetheless, I have found a guy who works at a salt water fish store and will be visiting to keep my
tank and give advice about the fish--hopefully, this will help. I lost my Sweetlips to aggressive behavior--I think-his fins became frayed and he wouldn't eat! I just hate this!!
<Sorry to hear of your losses.  Maroon and tomato clowns can be down right vicious, especially females!>
I hate to get rid of the clown---this has been his home for years--I was told at least 6yrs!!! Any thinking on your part about this? Thanks, Kass
<It's all about choices.  You could pair the maroon with a much smaller one, and likely form a mated pair.  Other than that, your choices are somewhat limited to fish that would be ignored or are fast/aggressive enough to hold their own.  If you choose to give up the clown, do check with your local aquarium society.  That way you can meet the person who is getting your fish and sleep well at night knowing it is being well cared for.  Best Regards, Adam>

Clown Question
Hello
I have a 180 gal reef tank, with 200lb of live rock. the only thing in it
right now is 2 false clowns (have had them four 5 years), very large sebae
anemone, several hermits and snails. I really like the clowns and I would
like to put more in there, but there is so many different opinions. I also
am getting ready to add a lot of coral, more anemones, etc...how many clowns
can I getaway with? <I would not add any more clowns nor would I even contemplate
adding another anemones...> and is there any possibility of adding any different
breed of clowns (maybe sebae, tomato or pink skunk). <NOPE, IanB>
thanks!!!!!
Bob P

A Nice Compromise
<Hello! Ryan with you today>
my husband recently got a 30 gallon salt water aquarium. there are no fish in there yet. he is still setting up and deciding exactly what fish to put in. he says that I can pick one fish that goes in there. I fell in love with the yellow striped maroon clown fish. but my husband can't find which fish are compatible. if you could help me out I would be absolutely thrilled.
<Yellow Striped Maroon Clownfish are notoriously territorial.  He'll likely torment anything he shares such a small space with.  I would recommend a better beginner's clown: Tomato or Percula.  Tank bred, of course.  In a 30, you could comfortably house a pair of either, but not both.  Good luck! Ryan>

-Possessed clownfish?-
Greetings! <Hi there! Kevin here, Q&A in between lab reports on a Saturday night! wooohooooo!>
Thanks again for putting up a great site.  I only wish I found it months BEFORE I started up my marine tank (would have made fewer errors). <Doesn't everyone!> Now that I have found it, I am much more informed.
Anyway, this is more of an observation question rather than a problem.  I have a 55gal future mini reef (already have anthelia in there and getting green star coral tomorrow) and I have noticed some strange behavior in my percula clownfish that I am wondering about. <Let's hear it>
I added two new percula clowns to my tank to go along with one percula that had been in there for several weeks <Two's a couple, 3's a crowd. 2 of these clowns will pair off, likely beating up and/or potentially killing the third.> and was getting along great with the other 3 fish.  I had learned (through research) that it is better to add two clowns rather than one to an established tank with a clown in it. <I don't think you have enough room for a pair and a single clown to not be at each others throats 24/7> Well, for the last week, I have noticed that Krusty (the old clown) <haha, aptly named> has been acting strange.  He has been swimming up in front of the new clowns, orients his body vertical, and then seems to have a little "seizure" by shaking his body without swimming. <That's the courtship dance, you see that a lot when they're ready to do their thaang.>
It  only lasts a second or so, but I have seen him do this several times in front of both clowns.  Other than that, they are getting along fine, are eating (like my black lab does) and are huddling together at night in one corner among the live rock. <They must be young, once 2 pair off you're in trouble.> I have not seen any of the clowns nip one another and nobody seems to be dominant in my happy little tank.  Is this some sort of mating ritual among clowns or is Krusty (the clown) just asserting that he really is in charge?  Could he be sick (no spots, eating good, no discoloration)?  Or do I need to call a fish exorcist? <Not unless it's head spins around while spewing green vomit. I'd suggest a water change after that :) >
I am just curious about this as I have not found anything about Percula Clown behavior anywhere.  I am also adding a sebae anemone tomorrow so perhaps I will give them something else to entertain themselves.....or fight over (hope not).
FYI some specs are Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate all 0, pH 8.3, SG 1.024, dKH 10
Anyway, just hoping you had some insight into this.  I'm mainly curious because my girlfriend suggested that perhaps we should be expecting baby clowns soon.....which is the last thing I need right now to tell you the truth. <Haha, no worries. You need an established, adult, pair to do the make babies thing. I'd suggest picking up Joyce Wilkerson's clownfish book as it's an excellent clown, anemone, and clownfish breeding book.>
Thanks again and I look forward to reading the daily Q&A every evening (definitely more interesting than politics lately!). <You can say that again! Good luck, -Kevin>
-Ray
Springfield, Illinois

Percula pair... one died 2/22/04
Hey guys, I have a pair of tank raised percula clowns for about a year, they were so tiny when I got them. Went through the male/female bully stage and they settled into a comfortable/happy couple. Thought I was close to having a mated pair when they started to really get comfy with each other (shimmering together then dart down to a spot in the corner together. happy little dance) Today  woke up to find one dead on the floor. (Heavy hearted today for sure). Question is ..is it a good idea to replace the departed mate with a new tank raised percula a little smaller (remaining one is 2") or am I asking for trouble and subjecting the new one to needless bullying?
<Adding a second perc should be fine.  Bullying will be minimized if you choose  a significantly smaller fish, since it will quickly submit to the larger one.>
It is a 10 gal mini reef tank, they are the only fish besides a lawnmower blenny.
<This sounds a bit crowded for a 10g.  Do beware of stability issues.>
Thanks Pete (ps: surf has been UNREAL this week YAHOO!!!)
<Thanks for rubbing it in for those of us that are land locked!  Best Regards.  Adam>

Nippy Clowns (2/18/04)
Hi, <Howdy, Steve Allen here.>
I have a gold stripe maroon clown fish in my 60 gal tank. The clown has been there for about a year. Recently I added 2 feather dusters. At first none of the fish in the tank bothered the feather dusters. After the introduction of an anemone the maroon clown is now nipping at the feather dusters. The feather dusters aren't being damaged due to their quickness, however they spend a great deal of time inside the tube and I am afraid that they may not be getting enough to eat. <A legitimate concern.> Can this be a problem and what suggestions may you have to help? The maroon does defend the anemone from other fish but what threat does he feel from the feather dusters?
<It's probably not a matter of feeling threatened. Clowns just get nippy sometimes. If you can move the worms farther away from the anemone, this may help. the clown may also lose interest. Otherwise, there's not much else to be done--very unlikely that you can change this fish's behavior in this regard.>
Many Thanks <Hope this helps.>
Rick

Sebae Clownfish
Hello.  I have 4 sebae clownfish in a 55 gallon tank.  I was wondering if this is too many?  The only other inhabitants are hermit crabs and a serpent starfish.  They are all getting along fine, as of now.  In case it matters, they were all raised together.
Thanks for your help and for being there! <if they are not fighting as of yet, then I believe the odds of the clownfish
getting along are in your favor, Good luck, IanB>

Aftermath of Moving a Tank (1/30/04)
I have 29 gal. tank. It was up and running at my house for about 4 months. I have recently moved the tank. Prior to the move I had a blue star fish that died. I also had a deep green algae, and a scooter blenny that stopped eating 1-2 days before the move. When we moved the tank we vacuumed as much of algae we could. Was this bad? <No> and did a 20% water change <good>. After this water change the pH dropped to about 7.8 and we had the water checked at a local fish store and the nitrates were at about 20ppm, the water was also really cloudy white. <Has the cloudiness gone away yet?>
This was the first time anything besides ph and salt were checked. Since I have performed 2 five gallon water changes with RO water <good>, and checked all parts of the water. my new readings are salt 1.022, ph 8.3, ammonia .5 <still to high>, nitrites 0, nitrates 5. Is there a way to drop the ammonia or should I wait, can I add something to help? <It just needs to cycle again after the biofilter was disturbed by the move. You might be able to speed this along considerably with Bio-Spira Marine if you can get it from an LFS.> Also I moved all my fish to a buddies tank so they are safe I have 1 maroon clown, 1 tomato clown, 1 4 striped damsel, 1 domino. <A very aggressive mix> Is it safe to put them back? <I wouldn't do this until ammonia is zero. It would also be preferable to not add back all of them at once.>Is this too many fish? <Not so much too many as a bad mix of mean fish. I would expect the Maroon Clown to kill the Tomato eventually, although perhaps the Tomato will prevail. Maroons get meaner as they grow and get up to 5 inches or longer. The Damsels are quite mean as well. Very likely to quarrel.> Also just a question about a yellow tang, they say 50 gal min <That resource is wrong. Minimum 75--more is better. You should snorkel in Hawai'i sometime. It will transform your entire perspective on this hobby.> Would it die in a small tank? <Would you die if confined to your bedroom for the rest of your life? Likely not, but you would not thrive either.> Can I get one and move it to a larger tank later on? <Bad idea. How do you know you'll ever get a bigger tank? Circumstances change. Always buy only fish that will fit into your current tank. Get fish that get bigger only after you get a bigger tank. Hope the info helps, Steve Allen.>

Clownfish Questions (and a bit of retyping) 
>Hello there...
>>Hi.  We'd like to kindly request that an attempt at proper capitalization and punctuation be made when submitting queries, as it otherwise leaves our all-volunteer crew to do a large amount of correction, and, as you can imagine, we get a very large number of queries each day to answer.
>I have a few questions on some clowns.  I have a 75g tall tank that I'm planning to stock pretty heavily with corals, mainly zoanthids, xenia, mushrooms, and some SPS corals.  So far I have two damsels in there, one black and one that I can't identify.  I'm looking to add two true Percs and a Sumatra clown (Amphiprion ephippium).  I know this has the potential to be a huge problem.  
>>Oh yes it does, especially considering those damsels.
>The guy at the LFS said if I introduce them all at the same time I should be fine.  I figure that the two Percs can hold their own against the more aggressive tomato.  
>>Why?  They're nowhere nearly as aggressive, and it's not as though they're going to look at each other and say "Hey, we're on the same team!" and help each other out.  In the fish world, especially in such an unnatural situation, it is every fish for him/herself.  Expect the tomato and/or the damsels to lord it over the perculas.  I recommend strongly against this combination.
>I eventually plan on adding a flame angel or a Copperband butterfly to the tank once corals are up and some sponges take hold for it to eat (if this is a good idea...it'll be going in last after the clowns have established their territories??)
>>Which will be going in last?  The angel or the butterfly?  The butterfly is the LEAST aggressive of this mix, and doesn't require sponge growth to be healthy and fed.  In fact, if you grow a few Aiptasia anemones it may likely enjoy those.
>Another question is one of the Sumatra clowns at the LFS has some sort of white coating on the very tip of its forehead.  
>>Heh.. Brooklynellosis anyone?  Sure isn't a good sign!
>The guy said its some sort of malnutritional aspect..
>>Oh yeah RIGHT.  The fish is sick, and any OTHER fish within the same system are currently being exposed.  Save yourself the heartache, my friend.
>..however I think he's full of it and wants me to buy  
>>You think right.  ;)  Stay smart.
>There are other Sumatras there that look healthy but they're all in the same bank as the infected one.  ANY sort of suggestions or answers will be greatly appreciated.
>>STAY AWAY from those fish and any OTHERS that are on the same filtration system (this is key) like the PLAGUE.  
>I've been to many LFS and get mixed answers all the time.
>>You know, go to many fish boards and you'll find exactly the same thing, with one important difference - no one on the boards has anything to sell you but their opinion.  It takes a great deal
  ( ...thanks a million ill be looking into my email daily for a reply  : )
>>You're very welcome, and I don't mean to bust (just) your chops for the all lower-case message harshly.  Please understand that we're absolutely inundated with messages every day, and it can take a great deal of time just to answer, let alone retype for proper archiving (all queries are archived on our site).  Thanks, Marina

Clownfish Questions Revisited
>Hello there again and thanks for the reply.  
>>Hi, you're very welcome.
>I must apologize for the bad punctuation on my last letter.  I'm not used to doing that due to AIM lol.  
>>Heh.. I'm a chat user myself, I know how it is when you're busy banging something out quickly.  Thanks for taking the trouble to make my "job" easier.  So, how can I help you now?
>Either way,  I've decided against getting the Sumatra clown due to the aggressive nature of the fish;  
>>They are indeed quite aggressive.  Plus, the signs you mentioned spelled bad juju to me, I think you were very prudent to question what the LFS guy had to say.
>I am however going to get the two true Percs and perhaps the angel or butterfly.  I haven't decided which yet.  I would like to know if the two damsels still pose a threat to the Percs (I would imagine so) if it becomes a problem I'll throw one of the damsels in my 50g trash can refugium (good idea?).  
>>Yeah, pretty good.  Too bad we don't know what the other one is, but here's the thing; if the Percs are at least the same size or a bit larger than the damsels, they MAY be ok in a tank that size.  If they had the tomato clown to deal with as well, it could be too much.  I would expect what I'm guessing is a domino (Dascyllus spp.) damsel to be the biggest problem, now and in the future.
>If the other damsel is still bothering the Percs I'll sell it to the LFS,  and maybe get some less aggressive fish like some Anthias.  
>>Good idea.  
>I do have a new question on something that I just noticed this morning on the glass in my tank.  It seems as though there are tiny white parasitic looking  organisms "scooting" or "racing" around on the glass.  
>>Ahh.. that's great!
>I have no clue what these are and would like to know if they're serious.  I'll make it a point to ask the guy at the LFS if he's seen what I'm talking about and if he's got some suggestions.
>>No, no, my friend, you have yourself what are known as "pods"!  These are a good thing, the result of having the good sense to have a refugium connected to your system (you can have them w/out a 'fuge, too, if you've got enough good live rock).  These things are food to animals like the damsels, blennies, the flame, and the butterfly.  They'll eat up excess food and become food for the system.  When I say pods, there are arthropods, amphipods, copepods.. Hhmm.. some other kind of pods I think (I really don't recollect all the pods there are in the pod world, but there are a few).  So just go to the LFS and say "I have PODS!"  ;)
>Once again thanks for the reply you've helped out a lot.  
>>Again, you are very welcome, I'm glad I was of help.
>I would have had a handful with that Sumatra (they look aggressive just by the colors hehe).  I'm awaiting your reply...thanks a mil - Chris or as my friends call me - Fishtank-
>>And so you shall have it (now that I'm in my favorite environment again).  Marina

Mixing Clowns -
>Hey WWM crew,
>>Heya!
>I am researching a 180 gallon SW tank.  
>>So cool to hear "researching"!
>There is soooo much info out there.  
>>Oh YES there is!
>I have been reading for weeks straight.  Your site is very informative.  I want to have several clown pairs in the tank.  
Can I have pairs of the following in the same large tank?
2 Amphiprion Ocellaris
2 Amphiprion Percula
2 Black and White Percula clownfish
2 Amphiprion melanopus
>>Oh my.. all together?  That is TOUGH, I'm really not sure this system would allow them sufficient territory.
>I don't have info on the specs of the tank yet, I just want to know if these clowns will get along together or do I have to downsize.  How many clowns can I have in one 180 gallon tank?
>>Well, let's say you chose to keep A. percula alone.  You could easily set up a righteous colony of 10 individuals, established all as youngsters (no sex change) with no other clown species, no problem.  It's the territory that's a problem here.
>Thanks in advance for your time.  
>>You're welcome, sorry I couldn't be more definitive here.  I think you would ultimately risk at least one pair of breeders here because of territory issues.  Marina

Anemones (1/19/054)
Hi, <Hi there. Steve Allen tonight>
I am new to the aquarium world. <And should therefore not keep any anemones.> I have been planning a custom tank for my house.  I have spent the last month reading up on all the requirements and supplies.  (An unbelievable amount!)  I found your site and it is by far the most comprehensive and thorough of anything out there.  Way to go. <Thanks. I'm new here, adding my little bit to the vast work of others.>
Well here it is.  I am planning a custom tank; 35"L x 45" W x 22" H.  I want to have live rock, some fish (tangs, clown fish and damsels) and anemones.  <Bad idea on the anemones. Too hard to keep. Too likely to die even with adequate light. You need years of practice at maintaining pristine water conditions.> Several questions.  
I have been thinking about getting a Hamilton retrofit light with 2- 96watt compacts and one 250 MH.
Is this enough lighting for;
#1 the tank size?
#2  Stichodactyla haddoni?  <Yes, the light is adequate, it's the water quality that will kill them. You need practice.>
About how high should it be from the water? <Jut a few inches. Several good articles on WWM about this.>
I have been reading several of your posting on anemones and lighting, but as this is new to me, I am still pretty confused.  I want to get the correct stuff the first time.  I would hate to buy the wrong light.  Also, will this light set-up be sufficient for a reef tank if I want to change in the future?
I know that you don't believe that it is ok to have different types of anemones in the same tank.  Now is that on any size tank? <Yes. Any tank your average person can fit in their house. Aloe, corals and anemones generally don't mix.> Can I get away with a different type of anemone as well as the haddoni in a tank of my size?  (Aprox 150 to 170 gal?) If not, can I get two haddoni anemones or will they try to poison each other over the years as well? Next, is the haddoni naturally blue, or is it dyed? <Some are naturally blue.>
Next; I want to get clowns.  I know, what type!  Well, I was thinking about a pair of sebae.  If I want them to bond with the anemone, should they be tank raised or wild? <Tank-raised is best for a number of hardiness and environment-friendly reasons. There is no guarantee that any clown you put in your tank will take to an anemone.>
I also want to get a pair of black and white perculas and a pair of cinnamon clowns.  Is this wise? <No> Will they fight all the time? <Yes, best not to mix except in a very large system>
Am I limited to one set of clowns and one anemone?  I would love to have several sets. <Then get several tanks.>
I have so many more questions, but I will read what you have already written on those subject before I bug you with them.  I am grateful to have found your site.  It has been a wealth of info.  Thank you for your time in advance.  
Please write back.  Dan <I really encourage you to hone your marine aquarium skills on a tank without anemones. After you have a couple of years under your belt, then give it a try. Caring properly for an anemone is a lot of work with attention required more than even once a day. Try something simpler first.>

Clowning Around!
Hi,
<Hello there! Scott F. with you today!>
I am new to the aquarium world.  I have been planning a custom tank for my house.  I have spent the last month reading up on all the requirements and supplies.  (An unbelievable amount!)  I found your site and it is by far the most comprehensive and thorough of anything out there.  Way to go.
<Awesome! Glad that you enjoy it! We're certainly happy to bring it to you!>   
Well, here it is.  I am planning a custom tank; 35"L x 45" W x 22" H. I want to have live rock, some fish (tangs, clown fish and damsels) and anemones.  Several questions.
<Sure>
I have been thinking about getting a Hamilton retrofit light with 2- 96watt compacts and one 250 MH. Is this enough lighting for;
#1 the tank size?
<Depends on the animals you intend to keep. Traditionally, you'd usually use two halides in a tank of this size, but there are no hard and fast rules here>
#2  Stichodactyla haddoni?
<Okay- get the second halide!>  
About how high should it be from the water?
<I like 6-8 inches or so>
I have been reading several of your posting on anemones and lighting, but as this is new to me, I am still pretty confused.  I want to get the correct stuff the first time.  I would hate to buy the wrong light.  Also, will this light set-up be sufficient for a reef tank if I want to change in the future?
<If you are considering the future possibility of a reef tank, you'll definitely want more than one halide in there. As far as anemones are concerned, I'd highly recommend postponing the purchase of an anemone until you have really got the system up and running, and have developed a mastery of the basic skills you will need. Anemones as a whole have one of the most dismal survival records of any group of animals in the hobby, and are unsuitable for the vast majority of hobbyists who keep them. They require extremely high water quality, proper feeding, environmental stability, and excellent lighting, just to mention a few requirements. I certainly don't want to dampen your enthusiasm towards keeping one, but do realize the odds. These are not a readily renewable resource on the reefs. It is thought that anemones can live many, many years in nature (perhaps even hundreds of years), yet a high percentage perish in mere months in captivity. Please spend a lot of time researching there requirements before moving forward and purchasing one. Even then, you might want to start with one of the colorful and much more abundant (not to mention, hardy) Condylactis anemones. Much better choices for a new hobbyist.>
I know that you don't believe that it is ok to have different types of anemones in the same tank.
<Correct!>
Now is that on any size tank?  Can I get away with a different type of anemone as well as the Haddoni in a tank of my size?  (Aprox 150 to 170 gal?)
<I wouldn't try this...>
If not, can I get two haddoni anemones or will they try to poison each other over the years as well?
<I'd start with one, if you are dead set on keeping one. If you can get one to thrive, you won't miss having another one- believe me!>  
Next, is the haddoni naturally blue, or is it dyed?
<Blue is a natural color variation in this species>
Next; I want to get clowns.  I know, what type!  Well, I was thinking about a pair of sebae.
<Excellent fishes- with or without the anemone>
If I want them to bond with the anemone, should they be tank raised or wild?  
<Well, we get many emails from hobbyists who can't understand why their clown won't establish a relationship with their anemone. Many of the clowns available in the hobby are tank raised, and have never even seen an anemone! Even the wild caught ones will not always establish a relationship with an anemone. There's simply no guarantee, short of purchasing an anemone and it's existing clownfish occupants from the dealer.>
I also want to get a pair of black and white perculas and a pair of cinnamon clowns.  Is this wise?  Will they fight all the time?
Am I limited to one set of clowns and one anemone?
<I'd advise against keeping more than one species of clownfish in the same tank. This is not something you'd find in nature, and not a good idea in a closed system, IMO>
I would love to have several sets.  
<Ok- then get several aquariums! LOL>
I have so many more questions, but I will read what you have already written on those subject before I bug you with them.
<There is so much to learn!>  
I am grateful to have found your site.  It has been a wealth of info.  Thank you for your time in advance.  
Please write back.  Dan
<Our pleasure, Dan! Don't lose your enthusiasm for these animals. Just study and practice the fundamentals before attempting the anemone. There is no need to rush. Enjoy the experience at every stage! Regards, Scott F>