Sebae Female pounding the crap out of the male

[Bandsaw]

Posted this in the clownfish forum as well,


I have had a mated pair of Sebae clownfish now for the last 6 years. Up to a couple of days ago, these two got along fine. The female from time to time would play a game of "put the man in his place", but nothing really serious and only lasted a few minutes.

This week, my wife noticed that the male was missing and went searching for him. She found him in the overflow. How long he was there - we don't know. My work takes me away from home most weeks and my wife is fortunate to remember to feed the fish once a week.

Since putting the male back into the display, the female has been relentless at pounding the crap out of him and the stress is showing. He is also confined to the top corner of the tank where the female will not let him leave.

Is it possible that the couple of days that the male spent in the overflow have caused the pair to split and the female no longer recognizes the male?

I'm at a loss of what or how to handle this. I'm thinking if the situation does not improve for the poor guy, I am going to have to move him to my 20g refugium until I find a home.

I though too that maybe the female laid eggs, but I have not been able to find any eggs anywhere.

Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

[snorvich]

It seems to happen. The female decides she does not like the male, and probably that is why he was in the overflow. My female eventually killed the male (black onyx).

[Bandsaw]

Thanks snorvich. I've moved him to the refugium for now. Could not take watching him get the crap beaten out of him.

[Anemonebuff]

My male hides in a PVC tube that she cannot fit in. But once he leaves she on him like white on rice.

[wbuzatto]

... My work takes me away from home most weeks and my wife is fortunate to remember to feed the fish once a week.

The female is clearly beating him for not providing enough food... ;-)