Clownfish acting strange or getting ready to spawn?

[Kryptonian]

Hi R2R!

Have two black ice clowns and they've been acting strangely for the past few days. All other fish are healthy and acting normally and all tank parameters are safe and healthy. Temp 79, salinity 1.025, pH 8.2, alk 10, ammonia 0, nitrite 0.1, nitrate 5.. Clowns look like they're breathing fine, no hard breathing..

Purchased these two clowns about three weeks ago and about 4 days ago, they started twitching around each other, bullying a little, and rubbing their gills in the sand occasionally. Other forums I was reading seemed really quick to say ICH so I just started paying closer attention but this seems like pretty normal bonding behavior also (minus the sand rubbing?). Today, the larger clown is pointing straight up in the corner of the tank like it's resting and the other is laying on its side in the sand and sometimes burrowing a bit. I'm fairly certain I'm about to see eggs but wanted to just check with others who have experienced this behavior before. Not sure if three weeks is too short for clowns to already bond and lay eggs.. There are two anemones in the tank and they couldn't care less about them, so seems appropriate that the smaller (male) is the one digging a hole in the corner of the tank..

When I get close to them, they swim away normally but return to this behavior within a minute or two.

Don't pay attention to that thermometer, it's in the trash now. Have a digital one connected to the heater...

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[CubsFan]

Maybe prepping that spot for the future. My clowns have stayed in the same spot for a while and had all the same behavior. After about a year, they’ve been laying eggs nonstop. Look for the ovipositor on your female clown. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before they settle down and start building their white picket fences.