I have two young aquarium-bred ocellaris clownfish from the same batch that my LFS received from their supplier. I added them to my tank about three weeks ago. They always seemed to get along just fine and typically liked to hang out together as they roamed the tank. One is slightly larger than the other, but I never saw them attack or charge the each other or show any signs of aggression. I decided to get a bubble tip anemone for them a few days ago, but they never went near it. So, after a bit of research, I went ahead and put them all together in a small mesh container. For the first half hour, the clowns were mostly interested in trying to find a way out and still avoided the anemone. Finally, the larger clown started to explore a bit and found out that he LOVED the anemone and had to have it for himself. Almost immediately, he started aggressively charging at the smaller clown, nipping at him and shoving him away anytime he got close. The smaller guy appears to be quite submissive and never fights back. I was really hoping that they would share this thing, but it seems like the big guy is being super territorial and the little guy won't get to experience any anemone awesomeness. What are your recommendations? Will they get over it and host together, or will I have to wait a year for them to mature and become a mating pair before that happens? Should I give the smaller one a chance to explore the anemone on his own for a bit?
Anemone-induced aggression/territorialness?
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The larger one is a female. Females are the dominant partner and will typically always show some degree of aggression toward the male and the male will submit (usually by turning sideways and shaking). Clowns that host an anemone are usually more aggressive and territorial than those that don't. I have heard a lot of stories like this one. It's possible that the female will never allow the male to host with her but I would give it time and see if they can work it out.
Since posting, they seem to have finally worked out their pecking order and are both frolicking in the anemone together. The larger clown's aggression seems to have toned down quite a bit. It took about 4 hours total. Time to let them out of their little cage...
Just to make others reading aware, sometimes forcing close proximity like this can injure or kill a clown that has not yet adapted to an anemone's sting cells, many, of us don't advise doing this, but glad you got lucky and it worked out.
Yes, accepting a host can increase clowns natural territorial instincts, and often you will see the female establishing dominance in this way, and you may even see a little of this again later before she starts spawning.
BTA is not the anemone ocellaris are found in in the wild, that is why it often takes longer for hosting to happen.
Yes, accepting a host can increase clowns natural territorial instincts, and often you will see the female establishing dominance in this way, and you may even see a little of this again later before she starts spawning.
BTA is not the anemone ocellaris are found in in the wild, that is why it often takes longer for hosting to happen.
