Clarkii gender ?

[seafansar]

I bought two clarkii clowns recently. Unfortunately the smaller one died from brook, but I saved the larger one. I went ahead and bought another small one and put the two together after watching the new arrival for two weeks to make sure it didn't have brook either. They are both in QT together (10 gallon). They don't seem to really like each other, but there hasn't been any torn fins or extremely aggressive chases. They don't like to swim next to one another and they don't sleep with one another like my percula pair. Is there any behavior I should be watching for to tell if they will pair up? They've been in the same tank for a few days now.

Also I'm reading "Conditioning, Spawning, and Rearing of Fish..." by Hoff and noticed that when it was written they weren't sure if clarkii's undergo sex reversal. I'm sure the book is a little outdated, so do people know now if clarkii's change sexes like perculas and ocellaris?

It also said there isn't much of a size difference between males and females and that males sometimes have yellow stripes on the upper and lower caudal rays on the tail. Is there any other way to distinguish an adult male from a female? Both of mine have yellow tails, so the yellow ray thing doesn't help.

 

[Toddrtrex]

They are hard to tell apart. As for size, I have had my pair for about 8 years now, and there isn't much of a difference in the size. My male does have yellow on the tail. If won't help much but I was first able to tell which one was which when they spawned, by seeing the female lay the eggs.

To see how little different in size, here is a recent picture of my pair,

 

[seafansar]

Beautiful pair! They are really similar in size. Do you raise the fry?

Do you know if they change sexes like other clownfish?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks, I am really happy with them.

No, I haven't attempted to raise the fry yet, though I really should think about it. Years ago I had an offer to by them, so that he could raise the fry, but I got too side tracked.

Like all clown fish they start off unsexed/male. The dominate fish will become female, with the next in line being male. The rest would remain unsexed/male.

 

[seafansar]

Thanks. I wasn't sure since the book said they didn't know yet, but it was written in 1996.

You should raise the fry if you have the time! Your clowns are so pretty, all of them (I looked through your photos), so I'm sure you'll find tons of people who want the babies.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks Sara. I keep telling myself that I should. And when/if my pink skunks start to spawn I just might. Though would have to find room to set up a rearing tank.