Clownfish pair or just two fish?

[aSpottedCow]

A few days ago I picked up a pair of snowflake clowns that I've been eyeballing for a few weeks. They've been together in a 10g tank at the store since 4/13. I brought them home two days ago and they aren't interested in food, and I think the female may be bullying the male. They'll swim together, and then she'll headbut him and chase him away. Everyonce in a while he'll do a really fast shaking motion in front of her which I've read could be a mating thing or a territorial response. Today they spent most of the day with her in a cave in the rocks and him on the outside. Is this them establishing a pecking order and just setting in in their new home, or could this be her rejecting him? I figured if there would be any issues it would've happened by now. Any insight would be great.

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

The shaking behavior is generally done by the male to show submission to the female. Perfectly normal. It's quite possible that your male could have been in the process of changing to female and is unable to return male, which would make the female more aggressive than usual.

I personally would separate them with an acclimation box until both are eating well.

 

[aSpottedCow]

The shaking behavior is generally done by the male to show submission to the female. Perfectly normal. It's quite possible that your male could have been in the process of changing to female and is unable to return male, which would make the female more aggressive than usual.

I personally would separate them with an acclimation box until both are eating well.

Why would he have started to change to female now if they've been together for the last few months? Do you think it could just be them getting settled in or is it pretty uncommon for a true pair to go at each other like that? Plus the male is significantly smaller than the female. First pricey fish I'm keeping so I'm a little worried lol

 

[eatbreakfast]

He is not transitioning to female. The behavior is completely normal. Periodic aggression from the female is fine. If she were rejecting him or he were transitioning to female, the aggression would be relentless. Do not seperate them unless the male gets cornered and is not tolerated by the female.

 

[aSpottedCow]

He is not transitioning to female. The behavior is completely normal. Periodic aggression from the female is fine. If she were rejecting him or he were transitioning to female, the aggression would be relentless. Do not seperate them unless the male gets cornered and is not tolerated by the female.

Thank you