ProRipp

Hi everyone ! In my 80gal tank i have two percula clowns which have paired up. I introduced two black and white clowns and within days the perculas had murdered one of them ! The other seemed to be holding its own until a few days later when he too was dead so now my perculas are serial killers and have been renamed Mickey and Mallory for obvious reasons ! Anyway my question is would it be safe to introduce another pair of perculas or will the killing spree continue ? The tank also contains a niger trigger a cream angel 6 chromis a yellow tang a regal tang two regal damsels a saffron goby and a royal gramma which all get on great !

harpua2002

IMO the clowns will probably kill any other clowns you put in there. At any rate, your tank is quite fully stocked and I wouldn't suggest adding to the amount of fish you already have.

cerianthus

How big were new clowns? Dimension of the tank? Is this FOWLR? New kid on the block shouldve been smart enough to stay away from spawning PC. Did you see such attack by PC?
Although it couldve been as you described, I thinking more on other tank mates (niger trigger?).

Anyway, next time you want to add any fish, try this and I had good success (very low mortality rate).
Even though you may have acclimated new fish well, they are still vulnerable to harrassment by others. Have them in a contraption such as large clear pastic jar (carbon Jar) with many many holes all over, even on the lid.
Tie fishing line on the rim for easy retrieval for feeding.

By having them in such contraption few days or even weeks, it will greatly increase its chance of surviving new tank. They get to see each other without any physical contact.

When introducing new angels/tangs to tank which already had many couisins, i will use such method and even put ones that are existing in such contraptions until few days/weeks later. YEs, it is hassle and more work but better than losing fish.

I always release new fish at middle of the night which also help since all are sleeping which reduces chance of getting beaten up.

Make sure jars are big enough for them to move around

Good luck !

ProRipp

Thanx for that as for stocking i agree with you am right on the level ! The reasoning behind me asking is that i am at the moment in the process of setting up another tank with a view to breeding my 'paired' clowns so they would be moved to that tank in future. I'll wait now, taking in your advice, until theyre in theyre new 'honeymoon' tank before introducing a fresh pair for the main tank ! Thanx

ProRipp

Cerianthus, yes i saw attacks by the perculas they were very territorial chasing the black n whites all over tank which is 42 x 27 x 24. I thought they may be okay as there is plenty of rock and hiding places for them ! Anyway thanx for your advice etc very helpful. I hope to upload some foto's of my tank soon.

cerianthus

This is not a standard size tank which I am familiar with. Maybe it is in Australia.

Since all the clowns are born as male and one most dominant one will become female, I always kept them in group. Dont remember if I ever added couple in a tank that has actively breeding pair. If it did harrassed/killed different clowns I wonder what they would do to same species. It sound bit risky to PC at this moment, IMO.

ProRipp

Tank was 'passed on' to me after original owner moved homes he had it specially made for a certain area or alcove somewhere in his old home hence the unusual dimensions ! Hey i got it free, what would a tank that size cost to be made ?