Clown mating ritual

[bruno3047]

My 2 Ocellaris clowns, who have been together in the tank for almost 5 years, suddenly began attacking each other a few weeks ago. They’re both about the same size, one just a tiny bit bigger, but they are going at it. I was concerned at first because it seemed to be extremely violent, like a fight to the death. However, after a few weeks, I see that there are no fins torn, no eyes gouged, and no other apparent physical damage. They’re not even really hitting each other. It just seems that way. So I guess it’s a mating ritual to determine who gets to be the female. Very strange.

 

[mindme]

My 2 Ocellaris clowns, who have been together in the tank for almost 5 years, suddenly began attacking each other a few weeks ago. They’re both about the same size, one just a tiny bit bigger, but they are going at it. I was concerned at first because it seemed to be extremely violent, like a fight to the death. However, after a few weeks, I see that there are no fins torn, no eyes gouged, and no other apparent physical damage. They’re not even really hitting each other. It just seems that way. So I guess it’s a mating ritual to determine who gets to be the female. Very strange.

Mine mated in about a year and spawn regularly now. 1 is female and much bigger than the male.

What happened is they would do this weird shaking thing towards each other, and eventually only one of them did it. That one became the male, and the other became the female. They never fought. Now I don't see either of them ever doing it, but it's clear which is which.

They are very territorial when mated. A few days ago while cleaning algae, the female jumped out of the tank and landed behind it while trying to bite the hand in the tank. Luckily managed to get her back in the tank. If you put your hand anywhere in that tank, you can count on her to bite you. However, at the same time during feeding time and any other time they will not leave the safety of the anemone. Not even for food. I have to basically drop pellets on their heads for them to eat. That pellet 2 inches away - too far. The aggression is higher than the desire to eat.

 

[bruno3047]

Mine mated in about a year and spawn regularly now. 1 is female and much bigger than the male.

What happened is they would do this weird shaking thing towards each other, and eventually only one of them did it. That one became the male, and the other became the female. They never fought. Now I don't see either of them ever doing it, but it's clear which is which.

They are very territorial when mated. A few days ago while cleaning algae, the female jumped out of the tank and landed behind it while trying to bite the hand in the tank. Luckily managed to get her back in the tank. If you put your hand anywhere in that tank, you can count on her to bite you. However, at the same time during feeding time and any other time they will not leave the safety of the anemone. Not even for food. I have to basically drop pellets on their heads for them to eat. That pellet 2 inches away - too far. The aggression is higher than the desire to eat.

My two were the first fish in the tank and they were added as 3/4 to 1” babies. I thought one would grow bigger than the other and emerge as the female, but that didn’t happen. They both grew together almost exact size. They got along fine until a few weeks ago. From what I’ve read, some of it on here, one or both could be trying to change into a female. Either way, that leads to this mating ritual. I was going to separate them, But I decided to just let it play out, especially since I don’t see any damage on either one. Interesting stuff though. I know about the attacks from the female when they’re laying eggs. I used to have to net mine up, in a prior tank, and leave her in the net until I was finished doing my thing in the tank. Then I would let her go. Still, the little so-and-so had no fear. Here they are photo-bombing a picture I took recently to sell that Regal.