Cheating clown

[corey.nolta]

I've had a bonded pair of ocellaris for about 4 months. They've been in their own 20L tank (my growout tank) the whole time. I recently upgraded to a 90 gallon and decided to put the bonded pair in the main tank. The tank did come with one ocellaris clown as well. I was told that the tank is big enough and that I have enough "territory spots" that it COULD work. Not a guarantee, but possible. I haven't seen any aggression, but I think the female is cheating! The female is always swimming with the new clown and they are doing "the dance" while the little guy is off on his own all the time now.
It's throwing me for a loop. The female and the new clown are almost identical in size. Whereas the bonded pair, the male is tiny (half the size of his female counterpart). What is going on? Is it just because they are all new tank mates? Or are they switching partners?

 

[Tahoe61]

It could be that larger of your pair was not yet completely a female yet and what you're seeing is actually a challenge between two females. A male can change to female, a female can not become a male again (extremely rare). Since you have had the pair for 4 months, and they sound like young clowns perhaps the transition was not completed. I would watch them for aggression down the road.

 

[ngvu1]

I have 3 babies clowns and the 2 big ones paired up. In nature, the 2 biggest clown fish in the herd pair up...The rest just stay male and serve as backup dancers

 

[Bunnee911]

I have kept 3 oscellaris together for five years. Just recently split them up to pair.