Can they really be paired?

[reret10]

hey y'all I bought 2 juvenile ocelaris clownfish a little over 3 weeks ago and I think they might be pairing. They always sleep together every night and I can never find them more than 6 inches apart. Plus when i first put them in they used ti fight a bit but not they are totally chill. Plus onetime when I was looking at the tank I saw the bigger one nip at the smaller one and he just flipped to his side and sank a bit and then swam back up to join her. This is like submissive behavior right? It just seems really soon because I only got them like 3 weeks ago. Plus the bigger one has grown really big in the past few weeks and a much lighter shade of orange whereas the smaller one has grown a little bit but not nearly as much. Do you think they could be a mated pair already?
thanks
Ian

 

[Daniel62]

They maybe bonded, but they are not a mated pair until they spawn together.

 

[reret10]

But that means that may mate right? just wondering

 

[Whip316]

they might mate when they become more older. usually takes 2 years or more for them to mate and lay eggs. its too soon to tell know if they are even bonded. dominance might be established but that doesnt mean they wont turn on each other or split up.

 

[reret10]

cool I hope the mate in a few years it would be totally chill to have clownfish babies.

 

[BlueFyre]

It takes A LOT of work to raise baby clowns, just so you know. Most likely you have plenty of time till then though.

 

[Gatorfan]

It's been 9 months since I bought my occ. clowns as little 3/4" juveniles. They just spawned for the first time last Monday.