Can False Percula's Unpair?

[Stuart60611]

I had what what I though were a properly paired false percula clownfish. I added the first one alone for approximately 9 months. I then added a very small juvenile. The usual pairing behavior began with some minor squabling and shaking behavior. After about 2 days everything settled down, and they engaqged in paired behavior swimming side by side in the tank and sleeping swimming next to each other each night. All was well for the next 90 days. Over the last several weeks the larger original female has been picking on the male. The male is looking skinnny to me and not eat real well. He also is staying in the upper corner area of the tank, and when he tries to leave the female charges at him but backs off without any real contact.

Can these fish unpair? Any insight into what is going on?

 

[Stuart60611]

I may have answered my own question. Under the FAQ, it describes the pairing process as including a "bickering stage" and that the male will be accepted back by the female sooner or later. Can this happen after 90 days of them getting along well?

 

[timrandlerv10]

well, my wife and i have been married for 8 years, so, um...

 

[Stuart60611]

Well, I would fathom that your and your wife's relationship is, perhaps, a bit more evolved than the that of my clownfish.

 

[bwest]

It's possible that they have truly not even become a pair yet, but have just been hanging out with each other.

I know I read a while back that some don't even consider their clowns to be a true pair until they've spawned.