Clown Fish Pairing Question

IlliniMed · May 11, 2018

Hi everyone!

So I originally got a snowflake and black phantom from the store. I got the snowflake noticeably larger than the phantom and they were great for the last 3 months. The little one would submit to the larger one and they would sleep together, etc etc... The last 4 days the larger one has gone rogue and has been harassing the smaller one. At first I thought it was just a "spat" but I woke up this morning and the back fini of the smaller one now looks a little torn as well as the two front fins. What should I do? I don't understand how things can turn so fast, especially with the little one showing submission and the bigger one would even seize out at times after the smaller one showed it. Thanks for the help ladies and gents. I really appreciate it.

NemNation · May 11, 2018

Sometime trying different males is the ultimate solution. In the meantime you can try to take the female out or keep in an acclimation box for a period of time, then re-introduce.

davocean · May 11, 2018

I've had times when a pair kinda got along, but not super lovy, until the female began to mature and then just got weird again, like what you would imagine a major hormonal swing or imbalance might be like, and then after a week maybe all of a sudden super lovy dovy and spawning not long after.

My present pair did this, after 4-5mo together, and me thinking gee, they just don't seem close like previous pairs, and this happened and I was like well, either I'm going to find out I've got 2 females or I'm about to see spawning soon, luckily it was the latter.

I would be patient, if it looks bad maybe separate w/ a breeder net/box, give her some time to adjust, try again.