PDR Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 I have read a lot about clownfish pairing and behavior but I still have some questions about my clowns. My question is at the bottom, but here is the timeline of how they have been acting. I purchased an 1 inch long Ocellaris and was in my 10g for about three weeks with my firefish before adding a 3/4 inch black Ocellaris. The smaller black clown was bullied pretty bad for several days, but after that he started submitting and things were fine. They remained ok with some bulling for a couple of months (at this point the larger orange clown seemed to be turning or have turned female). I then noticed they were not hanging out as much and were almost exclusively on opposite ends of the tank. I had to take them out of the tank to qt them for what I thought was ich (turned out not to be). As soon as I acclimated them and added them to the tank they started fighting the worst I had ever seen (I had never seen the black clown retaliate at all up to this point). I honestly thought they would kill each other by morning. Fortunately they cut it out and settled down. After a couple week qt, I added them back to the main tank and they were ok for several days but now the larger orange clown is beating up on the black clown pretty consistently and has been for a couple of weeks. There doesn't seem to be much damage done, but the black clown is usually isolated to the top corner of the tank. The bullying does stop for awhile when the black one submits. My main question is, are they probably forming a pair or will this most likely end in a dead fish? Also how long does the pairing process usually take? (They have been together about 3 months). I just want to know if this is normal or if I need to take one back. Thanks! Link to comment
kluker589 Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 If they are both false percs then it should be fine. But if you have a perc and a darwins clown that could be a problem. About the fighting just make sure the male has time to lick his wounds. If it still progresses to the point that the male could die get a breeder box and drill a bunch of holes. Hang it in the tank with the male in it. Let him stay in there for a few days and see if the fighting lessons. That's my 2 cent Link to comment
PDR Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 Thanks for the responses. I believe both to be the same species. How long does the "pairing process" usually take? Link to comment
kluker589 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Could take weeks to months. It really depends on the size different. During this time just make sure the male is getting food. If he starts to have a spasm attack on his side. This is a good sign they are pairing. Link to comment
PDR Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 The female is now about 1.25 inches and the male is 1 inch. He gets food fine and has been doing the spasm for around 2 months or more. That's why it just seemed like a long time to me. Link to comment
kluker589 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Some times that happens. Give it time. Link to comment
RC1313 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 IME with my clowns that were paired, my male would spasm throughout the whole time I had them, like a continual show of being submissive. Also an ocellaris and percula will pair. Link to comment
PDR Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 They finally seem to be pairing. They are always swimming together now and seem to be "bonding". Link to comment
PDR Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 I have started noticing more and more black spots on my orange clown. I have read that they could be stings from corals, but I almost never see her near coral and they haven't moved or gone away in weeks (some months). Any ideas what it is/if its a problem? Other than that she seems fine. Sorry I couldn't get a pic. Link to comment
Neebles Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 I hate to be "that guy" but those 3 fish in a 10g tank sounds like trouble...i don't see it ending well. Link to comment
PDR Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 I hate to be "that guy" but those 3 fish in a 10g tank sounds like trouble...i don't see it ending well. I appreciate your opinion but I don't see how that helps answer my question... I am planning on upgrading this tank (or starting a new tank just for the clowns) when they get a little bigger. Link to comment
Neebles Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 I appreciate your opinion but I don't see how that helps answer my question... I am planning on upgrading this tank (or starting a new tank just for the clowns) when they get a little bigger. You were asking about aggression were you not? Clownfish are territorial and will get aggressive in small spaces. I had 2 in an 18 gallon and they were complete bastards to anything that went into the tank including my hands. Once they went into my 75 they were fine. Link to comment
PDR Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 You were asking about aggression were you not? Clownfish are territorial and will get aggressive in small spaces. I had 2 in an 18 gallon and they were complete bastards to anything that went into the tank including my hands. Once they went into my 75 they were fine. Oh sorry, my initial question had been resolved, and instead of starting a new thread I had asked a question about some spots on my clown. I have started noticing more and more black spots on my orange clown. I have read that they could be stings from corals, but I almost never see her near coral and they haven't moved or gone away in weeks (some months). Any ideas what it is/if its a problem? Other than that she seems fine. Sorry I couldn't get a pic. Link to comment
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