overflow problem = DEAD CLOWNFISH....help..

[sammyinafrica]

I have two large corner overflows. They work great, but they slots are a bit to large and one of my clown found a way into the sump and got caught in the filter media.

Question 1. What material would you recoment placing on, over around, behind....the slots? How woudl you fix this issue?

Question 2. Now that I only have one O. clownfish, could I possibily purchase another one? Or maybe a different type?

Thanks!

Sammy

[ballardjr2000]

I posted some pics in this thread of some plastic mesh you can buy at wal-mart you can cut it to size and zip tie it on the over flow grate.

http://www.maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52548

as far as purchasing another clown i did back in guam when i lost one. i diddn't have any problems with them getting along.

[jkhunter]

There are a million ways you could probably rig something up to solve your overflow problem....from fish net to light diffusers cut to size. I would just make sure that whatever you use doesn't run the risk of getting clogged and stopping your water from making it into the overflows. As far as a new clown fish if your survivor isn't well established, putting a new clown with it might not be a problem. Adding the second one after the lights are out may be helpful. If the quarrel a bit too much you might try a little rock rearranging.

[sammyinafrica]

Thanks for the ideas on the material....

On the clownfish....can you put two different species together..Like an O. clown and a true Per. or maybe a maroon and yellow(yeah I know they are a bit agressive..

[jkhunter]

Mixing clownfish will most likely be a risk....sometimes it works....sometimes it doesn't. i would say you have better chances in a large tank rather than a small one.

[captexas]

Any kind of plastic or nylon mesh/screen will work to cover the overflows. The size of the mesh grid will need to be determined by what size fish you have.

As far as the replacement clown fish goes, were the two you had paired up? If they were paired up and sharing an anemone or another type of coral, I would suggest getting the same kind to replace it. The remaining clown fish may be territorial in the beginning towards a new clown. Adding a different species that is already known to be aggressive on their own probably wouldn't help the situation. I had a pair of true percs and one passed away. It was the female, the large of the two. It took me awhile to find one of similar size and the original one chased off the new one for several days before accepting it.

[msmith619]

Mixing clowns is hit or miss. I love clowns and have false percs and tomatos living peacefully in my 75 gallon but bought them all at 1 inch size and introduced them at the same time. They pretty much ignore each other. Tomatos can be feisty if you add another clown later. In another tank I keep sebae and skunks, this is a 125 and they also ignore each other, also introduced within a week of each other. Maroons are a different story... they are just plain mean! I never keep them, they even can kill damsels. Again, what works for me may ot for you. Best bet: buy juvenile clowns and put them in at the same time. I have never had problems doing that.

[donnyda]

The plastic mesh is definitely the way to go...

[donnyda]

Also, I have both skunk clowns (6) and true perculas (2). I had the true perculas for a couple of months prior to the skunk clowns. I have had absolutely no problems with agression. Actually, they seem to barely acknowledge each other.

[sammyinafrica]

Mixing clownfish will most likely be a risk....sometimes it works....sometimes it doesn't. i would say you have better chances in a large tank rather than a small one.

I have a 125 so I think I might try it..I'll do it at night, rearrange some rock, cross my finders....