Changes in male clown behavior

[Nanemene]

I have a male-female pair of clowns hosting in a sebae. Usually, the female clown only allows the male clown into the anemone at night. She kicks him out at first light, like clockwork. However, for the past 3 days, he is in the anemone 24/7 while she goes out and about doing her thing. He is staying in one particular section, and is very quickly chasing away anyone else who swims by.

Any idea what he's doing? My first thought was that she might have laid eggs down there, but I can't tell.

 

[Nanemene]

One other note, she makes NO attempt to chase him out of the anemone. Under normal circumstances, she has always chased him away the instant he touches it, unless it is either night-time or there is a perceived threat (e.g., my hand in the tank).

 

[tedr]

Sure sounds like he's guarding some eggs. Can you see him "poking" around with his mouth on any nearby rock?

 

[Nanemene]

A local expert from the Greater Iowa Reef Society gave me this reply (RC username Atticus):

Ah clownfish...

You are describing a possible egg situation. If you notice the male "fanning" the anemone or rock with his pectoral fins, look closely at the rock for pin head sized eggs. Freshly laid eggs will be orange. Older eggs will be silver due to the developing eyes. First time nests will be small and you may see a dime sized nest. Older pairs show nests that can be inches in diameter. The eggs will be attatched to the rock and will be swaying while the male fans them. The anemone may be covering them. If there are not eggs at this point look for a bunch of pin sized white marks on the rock, this indicates an old nest location. If that is not visible you may just have a pair that is finally getting very comfortable with eachother and may have a nest in the next year.