Pairing help

BuffaloReef · Jan 25, 2014

Sorry I didn't do better homework before I jumped into this..

I have a snowflake That once was a pair I bought from liveaquaria 2yrs ago..They were not a bounded pair..The bigger one died a few months after I got them and this one has been alone over a year..So, I guess that its a female now...

There was a pair at the LFS.. I bought one of them hoping they would hook up not knowing what I know now!

Here is some video 2days into(1/22)

http://youtu.be/YqpZem-Mefc

I thought they might be starting to like each other, but they are doing pretty much doing the same thing.. The new clown's mouth looks like it's hurt.. So, I guessing they are both females? And I should think about splitting them up?

Thanks for any help!!

ohio reefer · Jan 25, 2014

It looks normal to me. The smaller one is defiantly putting up a fight, but also is being submissive. You'll be fine. They just need a little before they'll be a happy pair.

oscarinw · Jan 25, 2014

If you can put one of them in a holding container or somehow divide the tank, that will give them time to get used to the other. If the one you just brought home has already started the conversion to female, then chances are they will never get along. It looks to me from the video that the more orange one seems to be showing some signs of submission. I think you have a chance that they will form a pair with some patience an keeping them in line of sight but separated for a little bit.

Trex · Jan 26, 2014

IMO/E, I don't believe that you have 2 females --- if you did, one would be dead by now.

Just the normal process of submission, at this point I wouldn't worry too much and just let things be --- you will know when/if it is time to intervene.

angel1237 · Jan 27, 2014

conversion to a female?? does this mean a clown fish can be male or female depending on circumstance...or am i misunderstanding..

Korai714 · Jan 27, 2014

Clown fish are typically a-sexual and when they pair up the female will become larger than the male and also a little bit more aggressive.

ohio reefer · Jan 27, 2014

The lesser clown will be the male. the dominant clown will be the female This being said when your larger clown (female) passed on, her mate changed into the dominant female. Clowns can go from male to female. But once they turn female they can not change back into male.