Mixing clownfishes

[goldfish69]

Hi Forum.

I used to have 2 false perculas (orange color) until 1 decided to jump out so I currently have only 1 in QT. I'm looking to get a replacement and I was wondering if I could get a black one to go with the orange one.

I've read some posts that they don't advise mixing different breeds of clownfishes. Please share your experience if you have mixed different colors of clown fishes.

thanks.

[BlueFyre]

You will be fine. Black clowns(solid black) are just a color variation. Just make sure that the new one is smaller than your current one

[sponger0]

Yes you can get a black occ with a true perc or orange occ. I have a true perc and black occ pair and they are a mated pair. I havent seen then try to have babies but they are always together.

[goldfish69]

thanks for your quick responses.....the current one I have is a small one - what's the reasoning of getting an even smaller one that the current one?

[sponger0]

The reason is sex. When they are born, all clown fish are one sex then as they mature one will turn into the opposite sex but if they are the same sex they will fight. i cant remember if is male or female they are born as. Im sure someone can chime in on that.

[goldfish69]

how can you tell if they have matured or not? just by their sizes?

[BlueFyre]

Getting a small one is the best way to insure that you don't end up with 2 females. If you get a smaller one it will be male and your current clown will turn female, if it hasn't already. Once they change gender they can't go back.

[goldfish69]

so they will fight if it's 2 females?

[BlueFyre]

Yup, to the death