what happened to my clownfish?

[Maxx Yung]

i had 4 false percula ocellaris clownfish, but one died about 6 months ago. the one that had her mate die was then bullied by the other pair, hiding in this hole about 1.5cm in diameter and never coming out. so my question is, today, i noticed that the clownfish hiding was suddenly swimming in the open and the other two doesn't bother her at all, and even more, one of my other clownfish started shaking near him... what happened?

 

[James M]

So the pair started shaking towards the lonely male ?

 

[sghera64]

Clownfish are hermaphroditic. Perhaps they worked it out through “gender negotiations”.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

i had 4 false percula ocellaris clownfish, but one died about 6 months ago. the one that had her mate die was then bullied by the other pair, hiding in this hole about 1.5cm in diameter and never coming out. so my question is, today, i noticed that the clownfish hiding was suddenly swimming in the open and the other two doesn't bother her at all, and even more, one of my other clownfish started shaking near him... what happened?

dominance dance.

 

[Maxx Yung]

The pair is a female and male. the lonely one was female. i dont understand how 2 females can live together and how the male dumped the female for the new one.. haha. im so happy because i was going to move the lonely one over to my new 200 gallon, since he is barely eating but now he is just so happy.