Clownfish pairing

[sixline]

I've had an ocellaris for about five years. It's pretty big. i decided to get another ocellaris in hopes they would pair up. The original one lives in a toadstool coral for the most part. When I added the smaller guy (who is pretty small) the big one definitely noticed, headed over and started nipping and the smaller fish did the shimmying thing that I so often hear about clownfish when pairing.

But now, after about a month, the big guy (or more likely gal) mostly ignores the little guy. The smaller guy spends most of his time in a corner of the tank. Not really way up in the corner like it's terrified, but maybe swims around in an area about a fifth of the size of the tank volume. The big one spends a lot of time in the mushroom coral, but occasionally ventures out, paying little or no attention to the little one. The tank volume is 100 gallons. Could it be the the tank volume is too big and the big fish doesn't really care that the other one is in there? I can't really imagine that, but have more to learn about clownfish pairing.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I've had an ocellaris for about five years. It's pretty big. i decided to get another ocellaris in hopes they would pair up. The original one lives in a toadstool coral for the most part. When I added the smaller guy (who is pretty small) the big one definitely noticed, headed over and started nipping and the smaller fish did the shimmying thing that I so often hear about clownfish when pairing.

But now, after about a month, the big guy (or more likely gal) mostly ignores the little guy. The smaller guy spends most of his time in a corner of the tank. Not really way up in the corner like it's terrified, but maybe swims around in an area about a fifth of the size of the tank volume. The big one spends a lot of time in the mushroom coral, but occasionally ventures out, paying little or no attention to the little one. The tank volume is 100 gallons. Could it be the the tank volume is too big and the big fish doesn't really care that the other one is in there? I can't really imagine that, but have more to learn about clownfish pairing.

Thanks in advance for any input.

As long as both fish seem happy, why worry about them pairing up?

 

[sixline]

As long as both fish seem happy, why worry about them pairing up?

I'm not really worried. More of a point of interest. And, of course, I'd like to see them pair up because I think it'd be fun to watch.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm not really worried. More of a point of interest. And, of course, I'd like to see them pair up because I think it'd be fun to watch.

Give them time. Maybe she's just playing hard to get

 

[sixline]

Bumping my own thread, just because I'm curious. I also posted late last night, so not many people may have seen the thread.

 

[Jekyl]

Are both fish eating? Any signs of aggression like nipped fins? Set something to record the tank and then leave the room. Fish behave when people are watching. As long as there are no issues, then time is all that is needed. The tank definitely isn't too large that they don't notice each other.

 

[sixline]

Are both fish eating? Any signs of aggression like nipped fins? Set something to record the tank and then leave the room. Fish behave when people are watching. As long as there are no issues, then time is all that is needed. The tank definitely isn't too large that they don't notice each other.

Yes, they're both eating.

Like I said it's been over a month. I just watched the tanks for an hour or so (it's so much better than TV) and I noticed the big guy does go over and check out the little guy now. Maybe once every 15 minutes they swim sort of near each other for a while. Like maybe four or five inches apart. But seemingly no aggression or interest from the big one and no fear or interest from the smaller one.

The small guy looks heathy. No signs of nipped or frayed fins. Of course, I'm waiting and seeing what happens, I'm just a bit surprised because I thought things would proceed differently. I know it's almost always a big deal one way or another when a second fish is added of the same species as a current tank inhabitant.

 

[Jekyl]

Yes, they're both eating.

Like I said it's been over a month. I just watched the tanks for an hour or so (it's so much better than TV) and I noticed the big guy does go over and check out the little guy now. Maybe once every 15 minutes they swim sort of near each other for a while. Like maybe four or five inches apart. But seemingly no aggression or interest from the big one and no fear or interest from the smaller one.

The small guy looks heathy. No signs of nipped or frayed fins. Of course, I'm waiting and seeing what happens, I'm just a bit surprised because I thought things would proceed differently. I know it's almost always a big deal one way or another when a second fish is added of the same species as a current tank inhabitant.

A third with 2 established is always a big concern. Adding another for a pair, as long as juvenile has much better results