My Observations/Theory

[downhillbiker]

I bought an unmated pair of occ. clowns about a year ago. They have always had a RBTA anemone, but never went in it. They had been near it, picked food out of it, and even sampled on very few occasions.

I noticed about a month ago that my clowns were starting to "flutter" and "squirm" in the corner of the fish tank, just in the sand bed. I posted a video link on RC, and most people said they couldn't see any mating behavior.

Here's the video:

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef%20Videos/th_clownfishmating001.jpg (http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef%20Videos/?action=view&current=clownfishmating001.flv)

I noticed about a week ago that the female is getting VERY fat, and she was nudging the glass with her mouth, I assume to clear a spot for eggs. She remains FAT all the time, even if I dont feed, and continues to nudge.

Tonight, I noticed (after over a year) the clowns were in the RBTA. They are both in it, and playing like crazy.

My theory is that they wanted a place to have babies. They probably want to lay their eggs close to the anemone, where the young can seek shelter. I am not going to try and raise them, but this is what I think the motivation is.

What do you think?

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/clownfish001.jpg

[tydtran]

Sounds pretty plausible to me.

Question: your anemone has been in the tank for a year, yet why is it still so small?

[m2434]

Possibly, but I've witnessed all of my fish exhibit similar behavior many times. Typically it seems to happen when I shift rocks or stir up the sand bed. I think it is an irritation response to coarse particulate matter in the water column, but my observation could certainly be something different.

[snorvich]

Sounds like pre-mating behavior to me.

[dukenukem]

Sounds awesome! My clowns performed mating behavior for 3 years, and did not breed unfortunately. If nothing else, it's good to see they have bonded!

[downhillbiker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13570191#post13570191 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tydtran
Sounds pretty plausible to me.

Question: your anemone has been in the tank for a year, yet why is it still so small?

This anemone is 1/8 of the original anemone. I decided to start cutting it about 6 weeks ago. First cut in quarters, then let them grow, then halfed each one again about 2 weeks ago. It has some growing to do, but will be fine. Oh...the original was only about 6", which had grown from a very small natural baby, that was under nourished due to CF lighting.