Could I?

Dasani · #1 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 06:33 PM

Hey guys I'm Aaron, new here :) Anywho I really enjoy the site. I am going to add a Yellow watchman goby to my 20H next week. A couple more weeks after that I am going to add a pair of clowns. My LFS sales Onyx and black/white really cheap at about $30 each. Could I keep an Onyx clown with a black/white occalaris in my 20H?
I have had some responses from 3 different people. 2 said yes, and 1 said I had a 25% chance of success.
Thanks.

criccio · #2 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 07:40 PM

More than likely the two clowns should pair quite easily, and a 20g is fine.

Dasani · #3 (**permalink**) 01-29-2010, 09:31 PM

Alright thanks. So far I have gotten 3 yes' 2 no's and a 25% chance of success according to one guy lol

FishLipz4U · #4 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 01:08 PM

I think you'll be fine. Dr. Sanjay Joshi paired these and now markets them under the name Black Photon Clowns. You'll see them on Live Aquaria sometimes. Check out the results at The Odd Couple (A. percula "Onyx" X A. ocellaris "Darwin") - Manhattan Reefs

Good luck!

Dasani · #5 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 01:27 PM

Yes but what I have heard on other forums is that they are percula and occalris and that they will both become female and kill each other... Is this correct?

FishLipz4U · #6 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 02:03 PM

Nature is strange. Anything done in captivity has exceptions to rules and what works for some might not be the case with others. Many people have combined percs and occelaris before without problem. However, people have also combined same species only to find that they will not cohabitate. I'd say go for it and see what happens. Tell your LFS what you are doing and see if they will take back one of the pair if they become intollerant of eachother. Unfortunately in this hobby, nothing is certain.

Dasani · #7 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 02:09 PM

Well my LFS has a 24hr guarentee. I think I'll just go with 2 Onyx and not risk it.

FishLipz4U · #8 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 02:16 PM

Good luck with the new additions.

Dasani · #9 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010, 08:44 PM

I went with the b/w and the onyx. Check um out on my new thread

WDLV · #10 (**permalink**) 02-01-2010, 12:34 PM

I would not be too worried about pairing the two. That said I'm glad you're pairing like species.
I'm not entirely thrilled with the unnatural pairing of different species. I beleive that we will eventually not be permitted to collect certain clown species. If so we will be left with what is in captivity to keep our lines going. I'd like to see them remain as pure as possible. I understand that there are quite a few species in the FW trade that are only ever found as hybrids in captivity.

That said I'm a huge fan of naturally occuring hybrids! I think they represent the beginnings of new species.