Pairing Method

[rdnyva]

I have a 2 1/2 inch female Tomato Clown about 2 years old that resides ina BTA. If I bought a much smaller Tomato and put him in a "cage" I built out of eggcrate would it help to get them acclimated to each other. I'd hate to just dump him in and let her beat on him mericlessly. Is there a better way to get 2 tomato's to bond.

[traveller7]

Thread in the FAQ's:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=215098

[rdnyva]

Thanks for the link and info. So according to the answer in the link I shoud l get a small, juvenile clown and just dump him in the tank and forget about acclimating them to each other and initally protecting him with a cage or divider?

[xxpipedreamxx]

IME just put him in the tank. If the fights get too bad then put him in a "cage" and let her get used to him being around.

[davocean]

I have to disagree w/ that.
Tomato's are up there on the agro level.
My maroon killed the first 2 males I got her b4 I could even get a net.
This is the safest way to intro;

[davocean]

This way you'll KNOW if they will get along w/out tearing your tank up and being stuck w/ a badly scarred or dead fish.

[rdnyva]

I have to agree Davocean, that's almost exactly what I have except it's made out of eggcrate. It makessnese and it's got to be better to have a plan than to just dump him in and let him take his chances. With the cage you gain some knowledge - if everything is cool you put him in, if she tries to tear up the cage trying to get at him you gotta think some more about it before getting himn killed. .

[xxpipedreamxx]

Depending on how small the juvi is, with eggcrate he can swim in and out of the cage freely. Yes Tomato clowns are agressive but I have not had any problems pairing them up. It depends on the female and her temperment. IME if you get the tiniest new clown that you can find, they show submissive behaviours much more readily which reduces aggression from the established female. There is no right or wrong way to pair any clowns. Each and every one is unique in its own way. Good luck to your pairing efforts and I wish you the best.

[davocean]

Yeah, in the container it will be obvious whether or not they get along.
My first try I had REALLY small male that twitched submissively right away, but it didn't matter, once the female spotted it she tore after it, and chased so hard the little guy had no choice but to run, no time to twitch!
The second try, in container, her hate for that guy was obvious, like you said, tearing at cage to get at it.
I took advice to let it out and let nature...BAD PLAN!
3rd, and what was to be last try, female approached calmly and curious, never agro.
It was obvious that she was going to accept him.

[rdnyva]

Would it help if I removed the female and placed her in my QT, then put the male in the display for a week or two, then move the female back to the display. It would give him a some time to acclimate and it would eliminate a situation where I am adding him to the tank where the female has already estblsihed her territoty? Opinions please.

[davocean]

Actually some people do contain the established female instead w/ good results.
If it's easy to catch her...