New pair of tank-raised clownfish

LitiGATOR · 06/12/2012, 11:55 AM

I bought a pair of tank-raised percula clownfish about 10-days ago, in hopes that they would: a) pair with either my carpet of BTA, and b) become a mating pair.

Well, I've had mixed results: the slightly larger of the two clowns found the carpet anemone within 24-hours and is hosting the anemone perfectly. No issues on that front whatsoever. But the smaller clown cowers near the top of the tank in a corner. He eats normally and isn't showing any visible manifestations of distress. For the first couple days the pair would swim around together showing no signs of aggression towards one another. Now, the "dominant" clown that's hosting the anemone, repeatedly attacks the smaller clown. Dominant clown even swims all the way to the corner where the smaller clown is and attacks him.

Is this normal behavior while the dominant clown tries to establish dominance? Or is there a more serious issue which needs to be addressed? Any help would be appreciated.

For what it's worth, 60-gallon tank.

JustinGr · 06/12/2012, 12:44 PM

Yes, until he submits to her... Assuming they have sexed.

ItzJustinN · 06/12/2012, 12:44 PM

sounds normal. my smaller clown was bullied too when i first got my clown fish pair. i believe it is all part of establishing dominance. unless you can physically see injuries on the smaller clown, i would let them go. the smaller clown might also start doing siezure dances. this is part of the mating ritual and is completely normal also.

LitiGATOR · 06/12/2012, 01:34 PM

I have seem some slight twitching in the smaller one and occasionally in the larger one, is that what you mean by "seizure dancing"?

michaelr · 06/12/2012, 08:45 PM

yeah thats what they mean. my clowns are kind of like that too. my female doesnt share my bta with the male. granted the bta is tiny

LitiGATOR · 06/13/2012, 09:12 PM

The big one is still chasing the smaller, but I captured some "tender" moments today.

http://youtu.be/vW4sL9VqBNI?hd=1

hollister · 06/14/2012, 01:03 AM

If they are real small then there a sexual and will work out which way to go.

Braxibear · 06/14/2012, 01:05 PM

Just like humans, guys put up a fight, but in the end....we must respect and pay homage to the female. Your clowns seem to be doing their normal thing.

06/12/2012, 11:55 AM	#1
LitiGATOR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 138	New pair of tank-raised clownfish I bought a pair of tank-raised percula clownfish about 10-days ago, in hopes that they would: a) pair with either my carpet of BTA, and b) become a mating pair. Well, I've had mixed results: the slightly larger of the two clowns found the carpet anemone within 24-hours and is hosting the anemone perfectly. No issues on that front whatsoever. But the smaller clown cowers near the top of the tank in a corner. He eats normally and isn't showing any visible manifestations of distress. For the first couple days the pair would swim around together showing no signs of aggression towards one another. Now, the "dominant" clown that's hosting the anemone, repeatedly attacks the smaller clown. Dominant clown even swims all the way to the corner where the smaller clown is and attacks him. Is this normal behavior while the dominant clown tries to establish dominance? Or is there a more serious issue which needs to be addressed? Any help would be appreciated. For what it's worth, 60-gallon tank.

06/12/2012, 12:44 PM	#2
JustinGr Clown Pimp Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 541	Yes, until he submits to her... Assuming they have sexed. __________________ Thank You, Justin Grant Current Tank Info: Reef:75 Gallon, 90# LR, SSB, 2x AI SOL Blues Managed by Neptune's Apex, Inland Aquatics Dump Style ATS,GFO reactor, Reef Octopus Bio Pellet Reactor, 510 gph sump flow, 2 Koralia on wave maker, and MP 10 on custom wave.

06/12/2012, 12:44 PM	#3
ItzJustinN Nano-Reefing Newbie Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hazelwood Posts: 623	sounds normal. my smaller clown was bullied too when i first got my clown fish pair. i believe it is all part of establishing dominance. unless you can physically see injuries on the smaller clown, i would let them go. the smaller clown might also start doing siezure dances. this is part of the mating ritual and is completely normal also. __________________ -Ask Vic About Smack...

06/12/2012, 08:45 PM	#5
michaelr proud to be only 17 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 500	yeah thats what they mean. my clowns are kind of like that too. my female doesnt share my bta with the male. granted the bta is tiny __________________ I wish there was an undo button on reef keeping Current Tank Info: 120 gal(4x2x2) lps reef

06/12/2012, 01:34 PM	#4
LitiGATOR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 138	I have seem some slight twitching in the smaller one and occasionally in the larger one, is that what you mean by "seizure dancing"?

06/13/2012, 09:12 PM	#6
LitiGATOR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 138	The big one is still chasing the smaller, but I captured some "tender" moments today. http://youtu.be/vW4sL9VqBNI?hd=1

06/14/2012, 01:03 AM	#7
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1,772	If they are real small then there a sexual and will work out which way to go.

06/14/2012, 01:05 PM	#8
Braxibear Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 65	Just like humans, guys put up a fight, but in the end....we must respect and pay homage to the female. Your clowns seem to be doing their normal thing.