Ocellaris and Perc... dogs and cats or just weird fry?

[grav]

Okay,

He was the 1st fish I ever bought 2 years ago, and I'm 90% sure he was not a perc like the LFS told me he was... nNt that I knew what I was doing then, mind you, it is a miricle this fish lived.

He is old nuff now. Time to get him (or I guess soon to be her) a little friend )

2 concerns strike me:

1. What if I'm off on my assesment Perc or Ocellaris? Would a mixed pair get along, fight, or or end up with cross bred fry?

2. I'm worried about the process of the current fish, "dominating" the new fish... turning it male too much (not a large tank, just 33g.) Should I get 2 small fish, spread out the agression and then remove the "oddball" once a pair is formed?

I'm sure this has been discussed before. Any thoughts?

 

[Anonymous]

Just get one, or two if you like, captive raised juveniles. Percs and ocellaris are capable of hybridizing, so I don't suppose it matters much which species you have. Can you post pics of your fish?

 

[grav]

Huh, so little mutant perellaris?

I'll try to get a better side pic, but here a a few from the Zoo sting problem we had a little while ago. I don't think this is going to help you ID the fish, I've tried counting on the fin, but he is too quick.

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t ... highlight=

 

[grav]

Here is a good side shot

 

[MattM]

Good picture, but it's still hard to count the spines. I see 10, which would indicate it's a Percula, but I wouldn't bet a lot on that id from just the one photo.

 

[Anonymous]

DustinDorton said a while back that their spines are variable and not a guarantee of the species...he could probably positively ID it. It looks like an ocellaris to me, just my 2 cents.

 

[grav]

Thanks Matt,

I agree.

I've never counted the spines for sure. I tried more pics, but nothing definative.

The new little friend is aclimating now. I'll keep you updated on my matchmaking attempt.