Percula pair???

fab1971 · Jun 7, 2012

Not into breeding or anything, I'm just curious. I had a larger percula (2inches) and then added a small one, less than an inch to the tank two weeks later. They sometimes hang out and swim around each other but do they eventually pair off with each other? I know the smaller one usually changes sex to move up in the breeding hierarchy but is this applicable to all clowns, even if the smaller one is male or female, or is it just the males that change over? How long does the process take? As you can see I'm a clown newb :sad:

AliciaP · Jun 7, 2012

From what I understand. They all start out as males when mature. One will dominate the other and that dominant one becomes the female of the pair and then grows much larger. My two clowns are best buds. No egg laying (yet), but one has taken off in size and is now pushing past 3inches while the other has only grown to about 1.5-2inches. And she rarely lets him stray lol He swims off and she will come up and nudge him, and they come back to their home together.

fab1971 · Jun 7, 2012

Okay, so I probably have a female (larger) and the little one is still a male juevenile. Obviously since he's smaller, the other one will dominate it and they will pair off. Does this happen with all perculas or are there some that don't end up pairing off and remain apart. I also put in a small rose bubble anemone in there but not even sure if they will host it. They haven't been interested in it as of yet. Thinking of getting another one or maybe a torch or two. My last clown hosted the torch for awhile and it didn't seem to mind. Actually tried to host a chalice, a zoa colony and an open brain before finally settling on the hammer

I just love these creatures.

AliciaP · Jun 7, 2012

Yeah, I've seen them host better in torchs than nems. Not sure if the RBTA is an anemone that it would host with in the wild, I will check and get back to you.

Some don't pair off and ever make a 'mated' pair. I've been waiting almost two years for something to happen with mine and only now are they starting to explore and dance around and keep a leash on her man

clowns101 · Jun 7, 2012

1" isnt even a sexual mature adult generally unless its 8+ months old.

2 weeks is not a very long time for clowns to pai off, they will eventually, it will take time, they wil start doing a "vibration" dance to simply put it, and they will submit and it will be all good!

AliciaP · Jun 7, 2012

a site a reference for Clownfish/anemone hosting info

Clownfish Database

fab1971 · Jun 7, 2012

not even sure how mine are. That would definitely suck if they never pair off or host the rbta. I could have sworn I read on a website that they host to it. I'm in no rush for them to pair. Would adding a third to the bunch be advised or will there be too much fighting? I think I read in the wild that they sometimes hang out in small groups.

fab1971 · Jun 7, 2012

That stinks. No way I'm getting a carpet or Ritteri anemone for my tank. I just read that these are two of the ones they like to host, but they get too big and I only have a 50 gallon long

Guess I'll keep reading and hopefully find a smaller, more suitable option for them to host.

AliciaP · Jun 7, 2012

I would also like to add more to my tank since I have space now. I have a 120gallon (4x2x2), but if I was going to add more, I would do it 2 or 4 at a time. I see many clowns living together but I fear the odd man out getting beat up. I HAVE seen someone place a clown in a bowl with water and anemone to 'make' him get used to it, but I DO NOT recommend that, I think it's a bit cruel. They 'could' host in any 'nem if they decide to, some have hosted a RBTA, but since it's not their normal host, I wouldn't make any bets. But I am in no way an expert on them, I've just tried to learn as much as I can about the fish I like and want.

clowns101 · Jun 7, 2012

fab1971 said:
not even sure how mine are. That would definitely suck if they never pair off or host the rbta. I could have sworn I read on a website that they host to it. I'm in no rush for them to pair. Would adding a third to the bunch be advised or will there be too much fighting? I think I read in the wild that they sometimes hang out in small groups.

Im pretty sure that they will pair off, I have no worries that they wont. And yes, they do host BTA's, it just isnt their natrual host, they will host them though. Mobert (a gal off ReefCentral who I have spoken to a lot in the past) has a tank with 27 Perculas and a bunch of GBTA's and RBTA's. They will host them in time.

I personally wouldn't add a third in a 50 gallon, I think it is to hard to create clown harems with perculas, some people have done it though (like mentioned above), but its not easy to do, easier when they are all added at the same time rather than spontaniously through out time.

fab1971 said:
That stinks. No way I'm getting a carpet or Ritteri anemone for my tank. I just read that these are two of the ones they like to host, but they get too big and I only have a 50 gallon long Guess I'll keep reading and hopefully find a smaller, more suitable option for them to host.

You could get one, it would just take up half the tank, haha! Like I said above though, they will host it in time, it shouldnt take to long.

bjledbetter · Jun 7, 2012

If added as fry as a group sometimes they will do ok in groups, b ut not to very often. Most time when two pair off they will kill the third by chasing it to death.

AliciaP · Jun 7, 2012

Just give them time. Torch's aren't a natural host for them in the wild either, but they do it. Mine have never taken to my Condy's but I don't think anything will other than shrimps maybe

fab1971 · Jun 7, 2012

Cool, I'll hold off on a third and definitely don't want one of those large anemones in my tank. Had my leds on tonight and found their movements mesmorizing. That and they absolutely glow under leds, compared to the other fish. The rbta also looks amazing under the leds. They are quickly becoming a new favorite. I've always had a striped maroon but she's always been a pain. Shaking up all the sand and burying everything on the bottom but thankfully not very agressive.

AliciaP · Jun 7, 2012

I think you lucked out with her not being aggressive! I have heard stories of them attacking the caretaker while cleaning in your tank lol My hubby has always wanted a maroon clown, but I don't want to take the chance with the aggressiveness.

fab1971 · Jun 7, 2012

Well, she is only about 3 years old so who knows if that will change in a few more. She eats out of my hand, just like the perculas and my cleaner. I think that's another thing that endears me to their species. Seem more trusting and personable than other fish. Sort of like my Oscars when I used to have freshwater tanks.

AliciaP · Jun 7, 2012

Yes, I agree. Call me crazy, but my clowns are very sweet. They come to me to say hello if I stand in front of my tank, the other fish only bother to come by if I'm feeding lol. Though they could be just looking for food, I like to think they are saying "good morning!" And the female goes out to get the male if he strays out of her sight. They are very personable and they really do seem affectionate.

fab1971 · Jun 24, 2012

Sad update. My bigger clown jumped out during the night and I wasn't able to save it. :sad: The smaller one is now hosting the rbta I have. so upset they didn't pair off together.