Pairing Maroon clownfish

[Mgoc]

We have had our gold stripe maroon clownfish for a year and I would like to put another one in the tank. From what i know, the bigger the fish is, the bigger chance that it is a female, so I am thinking about finding a small one and put it in there. Is there some sort of guideline to do this?

 

[Mgoc]

BTW my clownfish is around 4-5 in. It lives in an RBTA and the tank is 180g

Thanks

 

[davocean]

Yeah I would be pretty darn certain you have a female!
So find a male, either white or gold strip, small as you can, about an inch and a quarter or less.
Place it in any sort of floating container or breeder box (petco sells them for like $5)
Let the new guy float, maybe a day, two or even three days, watch female.
She should be curiously checking him out, and not frantically trying to lash out at him.
A female may reject a male for no apparent reason, and could easily kill him before you can even grab a net, so this is the best way.
Here's pics of mine.
You can tell even just in pics she is cool, otherwise I would have got blurred shots and cheek spines flared!
She should be curious, not furious.

 

[gacolt]

Yeah I would be pretty darn certain you have a female!
So find a male, either white or gold strip, small as you can, about an inch and a quarter or less.
Place it in any sort of floating container or breeder box (petco sells them for like $5)
Let the new guy float, maybe a day, two or even three days, watch female.
She should be curiously checking him out, and not frantically trying to lash out at him.
A female may reject a male for no apparent reason, and could easily kill him before you can even grab a net, so this is the best way.
Here's pics of mine.
You can tell even just in pics she is cool, otherwise I would have got blurred shots and cheek spines flared!
She should be curious, not furious.

what he said.

 

[Mgoc]

Thanks guys I will try that!

 

[snafte]

Hi guys, I have recently been trying to pair up my maroon clown, and thought I'd provide my experience thus far... I have a magnificent female hosting in a bubble tip, and recently got a phone call from my friend at the LFS, they had a wild pair of maroons, but unfortunately the female died soon after arriving in the store, and hence the offered me to take the male and see if i could pair them. I introduced the clown into a clear container and let the female check him out for a day (similar to the pics above from davocean.) She seemed very calm about it and didn't react very aggressively to the male. On release, she did the good old chase and try nip him, but he immediately took cover in the live rock, where she couldn't reach him. Now 3 days later he remains in the live rock, but has moved only cm's away from her and her bubble tip, she often glares into the rock and they look at one another, but it doesn't seem aggressive at all.... However since he was introduced the female did become more aggressive towards my flame angel, but he just shrugs her off and gets on with his day (she has started to calm down now) The main issue tho, is that the male hasn't been eating (i don't believe as i haven't seen him come out during feeding) although he does seem reasonably happy and healthy. So here is hoping she takes a liking to the young male, as trying to catch and remove him is impossible! Good luck with your pairing and let me know how it goes!

 

[davocean]

^^ That's why I usually float that container for 2-3 days, let her get used to his presence before getting used to the chase, hope yours works out, squirt some food back in there for him.

 

[snafte]

Its been a good few days now, and the female generally ignores the small male (albeit he remains hidden in the rocks only cm's away from her and the BTA) I have noted that when she does stick her head into the gaps in the rock, that the male does show the standard submissive expressions, yet he remains safely guarded by the rocks. I assume only time will tell....

 

[m0nk3y69d]

Following

 

[snafte]

Hay guys,
here's a little update on the pairing process....
Its been a good few weeks since I introduced the juvenile male, and whilst he still remains hidden in the rock cave only cm's away from her and BTA, i have seen him come out and swim directly next to her, but infrequently. She however does not seem fussed at all, and no longer chases or tries to nip his fins. I am taking this as a very good sign, but am still waiting for him to either enter the BTA or feel more comfortable to be around her more constantly. Hopefully in a few more days or weeks, she will completely accept him... I guess only time will tell!

 

[snafte]

Hi all,

I think i have been successful in the pairing process, albeit the male is still not welcome in the BTA.... (see attached pic) although there is no fighting and the male is now free to venture further out of his hiding spot. The female does seem to often guide him back, but I think mainly as she considers the Flame Angel a threat....

 

[snafte]

The real test happened two days ago when i transferred the clowns and anemones into my new bigger tank, and i can now honestly say the pairing process has been a success! Whilst the male still lives on the under side of the anemone, i have on numerous occasions seen him out swimming along side her away from the anemone! Hopefully within time we will have some eggs and the male will be allowed to enter the anemone.

 

[snafte]