Question about clownfish behavior

[gar732]

I've had a clownfish in my tank for about 9 years now. It was originally part of a pair and was the larger and more dominant of the two so I've always believed it to be a female. I lost the smaller male a few years ago. I just picked up a black ice clown from alpha corals, and he's awesome by the way, and they seem to be getting along great so far. Now the question, my original and larger clown is not really behaving in a dominant manner and she is doing that shaking convulsion thing that they do. The thing is that I've read that the male will do this as a sign of submission for the female and the fish that I've always thought to be a female is doing it for the new smaller fish. Anyone have any thoughts on this behavior?

 

[Saltgator]

I had a gold stripe maroon do the same thing when I introduced a smaller one. I assumed it was just saying "come on in, there is a vacancy"! She finally got him in and nudged him back and forth for a while without showing him a bad time. No problems ever came up. Good luck

 

[gar732]

Thanks, I didn't realize the females would do it too. They are hanging out together all the time without much aggression. It's only been a couple of days so far but I didn't expected them to get along this well this quickly.

 

[Saltgator]

My 2 picassos are young and I put the male in and to this day, he is still missing one of his lower fins from a fight with the female. I believe having either 2 young ones grow together and let them slowly figure who is gonna be who, or have a solo female that is desent size and introduce a small juv and things kinda work. Just my 2 cents.

 

[_Alex_]

I recently. Introduced a new mate to my clown as well after a year alone. Been no aggression and they stay together doing there wiggle dance. Most aggression shown was when the new clown was still in the bag, once released they became best buddies.

 

[gar732]

Yeah I was afraid there might end up being damage, I'm still watching just to be sure. I just lost one of my picassos so now I have to find another. Its still very young so finding a pair for that one shouldn't be to difficult, I'm hoping anyway.

 

[gar732]

I recently. Introduced a new mate to my clown as well after a year alone. Been no aggression and they stay together doing there wiggle dance. Most aggression shown was when the new clown was still in the bag, once released they became best buddies.

I used an acclimation box for the first day and the other clown spent the whole day around it with no aggression so I let him out and so far so good.

 

[swannyson7]

You lost one of your picassos?!? That sucks bro. What happened?

 

[Saltgator]

Yeah, finding another picasso shouldn't be an issue. I've seen some all over. Good luck and do you have pics yet of your new pair?

 

[gar732]

You lost one of your picassos?!? That sucks bro. What happened?

He somehow managed to get in the overflow. I had it covered with eggcrate and I never would have thought he would fit through the slots but he made it in there, it was the larger of the two. He took a ride to the sump, into the return pump, through the manifold and finally got stuck in the hose for the biopellet reactor. I'm willing to bet he would have made it if I could have gotten him out quick enough, he didn't have a scratch on him, but I didn't find him till after I got home from work. He's the one with the overbite which I didn't like too much but the pattern on him was awesome and it was completely heathy otherwise.

 

[gar732]

Yeah, finding another picasso shouldn't be an issue. I've seen some all over. Good luck and do you have pics yet of your new pair?

I just have to find one I like as much as the one I lost. I'll might get it from the same guy I got the last one from I just have to save a couple bucks first. Here is a quick pic. It's tough to get a good shot because all the fish come up to the glass when I try to take a pic thinking they are going to get fed again lol.

 

[Saltgator]

Nice new addition.

 

[Alpha Aquaculture]

Looking good! Glad they are taking to each other I think the female shaking is all good. I just introduced a definite male Snow Onyx to a definite female Snow Onyx last night and she was shaking a lot during the initial introduction.

 

[gar732]

Thanks guys. I didn't notice it today just yesterday after the initial introduction. Maybe it's a sign of acceptance like saltgator said. I never really hear too much about the black ice clowns, I think they are underrated. He's just an awesome looking clown and I love the pattern. I'll have to try and get some better pics that do him justice. Those snow onyx clowns are nice too, I was eyeing those but the price was right on the black ice and after seeing this guy I had to jump on it. Thanks again for an awesome fish Kris!