Clownfish chasing

[harkey]

Do you guys ever put your clownfish on a timeout? I got these two and they were nice to each other for a few weeks but the white one started chasing the other one so much and would nip at him. The black/orange one would swim away fast enough and he does not have any damage to his fins which is good but today I decided to give him a little break cause I feel bad . Are they establishing who’s the dominant one and should I let it be? Quite concerned with how the white one is getting aggressive at times.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

Probably both male. The dominant one will become female. But they are different morphs, so they may always chase around.

 

[harkey]

Probably both male. The dominant one will become female. But they are different morphs, so they may always chase around.

The black/orange clownfish is a bit smaller and the white one is bigger. Would that make the white one be the female sometime in the future? Also, should I just let it happen for now and just keep an eye on them?

 

[Tamberav]

Pretty normal behavior.

When it isn't normal is when one is getting beat up bad and torn up or so stressed it is breathing heavily and laying on sand, etc.

 

[ScionFRSguy]

Maybe try feeding more

 

[Uncle99]

Depends on current size now.
If 1/2” to 3/4” more likely immature males. Later, one will turn female.

If an 1” or more, may either be two females (bad) or a female and a male (good) or two males (good).

chasing, depends again on how?
If it’s relentless and damaging, that needs to be stopped.
If it’s here and there, no damage, just display that’s fine.

 

[Jekyl]

If it gets bad use the acclimation box and put the aggressor in time out. Allowing weaker of the 2 to get some time to recoup.

 

[ScionFRSguy]

Depends on current size now.
If 1/2” to 3/4” more likely immature males. Later, one will turn female.

If an 1” or more, may either be two females (bad) or a female and a male (good) or two males (good).

chasing, depends again on how?
If it’s relentless and damaging, that needs to be stopped.
If it’s here and there, no damage, just display that’s fine.

Great feedback!

 

[harkey]

Depends on current size now.
If 1/2” to 3/4” more likely immature males. Later, one will turn female.

If an 1” or more, may either be two females (bad) or a female and a male (good) or two males (good).

chasing, depends again on how?
If it’s relentless and damaging, that needs to be stopped.
If it’s here and there, no damage, just display that’s fine.

Hey, so I’ve noticed the last few days that the black clownfish have been doing the little wiggly dance which I’m guessing he is being submissive. The chasing is still there but now the black clown fish has some damage on his fins. I put the white clownfish in a acclimation box again. I’m not sure if I should still keep the white one at this point cause of the damages. What would your advice be? I’ve attached a picture of both of the clownfish so you can see the damaged.

 

[kevgib67]

It can be hit or miss. I started with 2 juveniles ( less than inch) like yours, best of friends for about 3-4 weeks. Then aggression began and a came home from work to a beat up dead clown. I added another about 1/2 inch larger than the murderer and they have been fine. I hope yours doesn’t end like mine but you may have to switch it out with one that is significantly a different size. Best of luck and remember clowns will be clowns!

 

[harkey]

It can be hit or miss. I started with 2 juveniles ( less than inch) like yours, best of friends for about 3-4 weeks. Then aggression began and a came home from work to a beat up dead clown. I added another about 1/2 inch larger than the murderer and they have been fine. I hope yours doesn’t end like mine but you may have to switch it out with one that is significantly a different size. Best of luck and remember clowns will be clowns!

Thank you so much for the advice! At this point the black one is getting beat up so I’m thinking of getting rid the of the white one and getting a clown smaller than the black one. Really don’t wanna end up with a dead clown when I can prevent it.

 

[Uncle99]

Hey, so I’ve noticed the last few days that the black clownfish have been doing the little wiggly dance which I’m guessing he is being submissive. The chasing is still there but now the black clown fish has some damage on his fins. I put the white clownfish in a acclimation box again. I’m not sure if I should still keep the white one at this point cause of the damages. What would your advice be? I’ve attached a picture of both of the clownfish so you can see the damaged.

When it gets to damage, I’d put a stop to that.
There’s two completely different fish and while that can work, it adds another area of complexity.
If your goal is to pair them up, it’s sometimes easier to add a very small but exact copy of the one your trying to pair with, or just start with a bonded pair.