How Long ....

helen ann · Apr 3, 2016

So, I have a Picasso and a Darwin clownfish and they have been in the tank for about 2 week and for the last week the Picasso has kept the Darwin confined to the cave. I am assuming that she is asserting her dominance? How long will she keep the lil' guy in there, I feel soooo bad for him!

helen ann · Apr 3, 2016

Here is lil' Miss Attitude!!!

rayn · Apr 3, 2016

Well being different types, they might always fight. When one becomes dominant and the female of the pair they usually swim together. The male will do a little dance on its side showing submission.

Keep a eye on them to make sure both get out to swim and eat.

helen ann · Apr 3, 2016

rayn said:
Well being different types, they might always fight. When one becomes dominant and the female of the pair they usually swim together. The male will do a little dance on its side showing submission.

Keep a eye on them to make sure both get out to swim and eat.

Ohhh goodness, I hope not! They were such good buddies the 1st week!!! Were always together!

Yes, I am having to use a turkey baster to squirt food into the cave to make sure he gets some!

rayn · Apr 3, 2016

[HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] may have better ideas. I personally always tried to keep to the same species of clown together just for this reason.

Hopefully yours work out, or maybe I am wrong.

eatbreakfast · Apr 3, 2016

They are the same species, just different strains, but mixing strains is why such a variety of designer clowns are available, so they should be compatible. This can be normal, but if it persists for more than 3-4 days try putting the male in a breeder or acclimation box where the female can see him, but not get to him.

melypr1985 · Apr 3, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
They are the same species, just different strains, but mixing strains is why such a variety of designer clowns are available, so they should be compatible. This can be normal, but if it persists for more than 3-4 days try putting the male in a breeder or acclimation box where the female can see him, but not get to him.

+1

jsker · Apr 3, 2016

@melypr1985 @eatbreakfast question; I have a maroon yellow striped clown, if the a different species that I could mix or should I find another maroon?

redfishbluefish · Apr 3, 2016

I'm not convinced you have a male and female. They appear to be the same size, and if anything, the one you're calling "male" looks a little larger. My guess is that you have two females.

helen ann · Apr 4, 2016

Thanks everyone for the replies! If doesn't change in a few days will need to buy a acclimation box.
I just got up and see that he is out of the cave, so at least he's getting out of the cave for a little while at least.
They appear to be sleeping on opposite sides of the tank.

ScottMyers123 · Apr 4, 2016

It appears that you may have two females from the looks of the side by side picture.

helen ann · Apr 4, 2016

If I do have 2 females can they co-exist together or will I have to re-home one of them?

ScottMyers123 · Apr 4, 2016

In my experience it depends on the size of the aquarium and how bad they are fighting. If you keep an eye on them and they are not trying to kill each other you may be ok.

eatbreakfast · Apr 4, 2016

What makes me think they are not females is that they were together. In most cases, females will fight immediately upon being introduced together, even if just released in a tank. Also, in most cases a male will not transition to female if a female is present. Based on your description of the situation, it seems more likely that they were both males and the increased aggression is to ensure the aggressor is the one that transitios to female. It should settle once the transition is completed.

eatbreakfast · Apr 4, 2016

jsker said:
@melypr1985 @eatbreakfast question; I have a maroon yellow striped clown, if the a different species that I could mix or should I find another maroon?

Maroons are pretty aggressive, even with other maroons. I personally would only add a maroon to an existing maroon, and I would definitely use an acclimation box.

helen ann · Apr 4, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
What makes me think they are not females is that they were together. In most cases, females will fight immediately upon being introduced together, even if just released in a tank. Also, in most cases a male will not transition to female if a female is present. Based on your description of the situation, it seems more likely that they were both males and the increased aggression is to ensure the aggressor is the one that transitios to female. It should settle once the transition is completed.

Thank You!

Ohhhh I hope so, they spent a week in acclimation tank together with NO issues (see video) and then moved to my DT and had NO issues during that 1st week or so!

zemuss · Apr 4, 2016

I agree they are the same size. normally the male is much smaller then the female.. I think the fighting might persist.

helen ann · Apr 4, 2016

They aren't really fighting.
It seems that at night when lights are off the Darwin comes out of the cave but as soon as the lights come on or it gets brighter in the room the Picasso chases the Darwin into the cave. The Darwin will stay there and not fight back.