Hello all. I have had two true percula clowns in my 20 gal long reef tank for about 2 months now. About a week ago, one of the fish started heavily chasing the other. I don't see any nips or bites on the fish being chased, but the other won't leave it alone. I know that clown fish become a mated pair and one of the fish changes sexes. Is this behavior associated with that? Before the aggression started, the fish were inseparable. They would always swim together, but lately the other just tries to avoid the aggressor. Anyone have any ideas as to what is going on? Thanks so much for your help!
Aggressive True Percula
- Thread starter TAANG
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Twistofer
New member
The big question is how old the clowns really are. The female, who is usually larger, is dominant in the tank. Usually the clowns are "born" male. The most successful and dominant of this school will become female and dominate the area. At maturity she may choose a mate. She may chase males, but I believe that you may have two females, who will eventually fight.
They are very interesting. I was hoping that they were both males and then the one was becoming female and that was what was causing the aggression. They are both very tiny. I hope that I don't have two females. If I do, are they able to change back to males, or will they just be aggressive for the rest of their life? The one being chased has figured out that it can jump over into the overflow area in our tank in order to hide.
cichlid nutz
Well-known member
More than likely you have a pair of clowns that are coming into maturity. As stated before, the more aggressive will "morph" into the larger female and the other will stay small and be the male of the pair.
When you call tham "very tiny", how long estimated? True Percs only get to about 3.5 inches on the female and about 2 inches on the male.
If you are fearful of one killing the other, best to make a "cavern" for the smaller to be able to escape to. I doubt this will continue for much longer and them the "female" will begin growing larger.
When you call tham "very tiny", how long estimated? True Percs only get to about 3.5 inches on the female and about 2 inches on the male.
If you are fearful of one killing the other, best to make a "cavern" for the smaller to be able to escape to. I doubt this will continue for much longer and them the "female" will begin growing larger.
That's what I was hoping. The fish are both less than an inch. The aggressive one used to be the smaller of the two, but is now about the same size as the other. I am thinking that they are cpming into maturity and that the aggressive one is going to become a female. There are plenty of places to hide in the tank, but the one that is chased never seems to go into the caves to hide...
cichlid nutz
Well-known member
That means he has decided to take his place in life. The "beaten down male when the Women rule everything" lol.
Do you have anything for them to nest in? This would be the best age to introduce them to something. Does not have to be an anemonae but if you don't have a lot of coral, It is incredible to watch your clowns "host" one. Be sure to pick out one suitable to your lighting and one that Percs will find irresistable.
Do you have anything for them to nest in? This would be the best age to introduce them to something. Does not have to be an anemonae but if you don't have a lot of coral, It is incredible to watch your clowns "host" one. Be sure to pick out one suitable to your lighting and one that Percs will find irresistable.
We had a green bubble tip for about 3 weeks, but it just died yesterday 
I don't think it was ever very healthy. We plan to move in the next few months so don't really want to add any new additions right now. I would absolutely love to have an anemone that the clowns could host in. We want to upgrade to a bigger tank fairly soon as well, so hopefully we can get an anemone soon.
As far as women ruling everything....it's funny that you say that. That was exactly what my husband said! That she was picking and nagging on him, trying to drive him into hiding. Ha, you men...sheesh
I don't think it was ever very healthy. We plan to move in the next few months so don't really want to add any new additions right now. I would absolutely love to have an anemone that the clowns could host in. We want to upgrade to a bigger tank fairly soon as well, so hopefully we can get an anemone soon. As far as women ruling everything....it's funny that you say that. That was exactly what my husband said! That she was picking and nagging on him, trying to drive him into hiding. Ha, you men...sheesh
I think the anemone was sick when we got it. We have a rock anemone as well, and he seems to be doing wonderfully. The water conditions were checked regularly and everything seemed to be in good condition. I wish I knew the exact cause, but we are still continuing to monitor the water conditions and do regular water changes, as that's what you do with any tank, really.
