clownfish question

[bennyinca]

My friend has a large (3+inch) GSM clownfish, I am guessing it is a female, by the size. He wants to try pairing it up.

I have another gsm clownfish in my nano tank, had it since it was tiny, it is about 1 inch now. It hosts in an anemone and is keeps home very tidy, pushing away the caulerpa and taking bites at the pastic scrapers or anything that comes close. Is there a way if this small clownfish is a male / female, by its behavior or size?
Thanks!

 

[NicoleC]

If they have been alone for more than about 30 days (and are mature), they are female. There is no way to know when a fish is mature, but I have heard one report of an emergency fish replacement with a 4 month old baby (the male died, and the pregnant female was frantic and seriously injuring herself), and the 4 month old tried to fertilize eggs! So mature can possibly be very young.

Pairing FAQ:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=215098

 

[bennyinca]

Thanks for you help Nicole!

 

[Fmellish]

If I may hijack this thread.

I have a true perc that grew very quickly after I introduced an ocellaris into the tank.

It's kind of strange the percula was 1" or so, seemed very small. THe ocellaris is about 2". After quarantine, and curing a bit of Ich I introduced the ocellaris to my reef tank.

I swear within a few weeks the percula has taken steroids, the perc has doubled in size in the last few weeks and now they are equal size. I imaging if the trend continues the perc will grow bigger than the ocellaris.

What does this mean?


Also i have some questions about behavior. The ocellaris is captive bred and doesn't seem to have any interest in the perc's anemone. It's a large anemone, but the ocellaris typically doesn't go near it. So the two clowns seem to live seperate lives with the perc never trying far from the anemone and the ocellaris remaining in the water column at the top of the tank.

Previously, on occassion, they would swim together and rub tails. However yesterday the ocellaris was trying to get near the anemone and the perc was buttin him in the face. It's like they were kissing at high speed head on. Not nipping at each other's faces but colliding head on.

Is the perc just defending his turf? or is this some kind of ritual to determine dominance?

Thanks.

And sorry for hijacking this thread.

Josh

 

[NaughtyCashew]

When I introduced my young clown to the female, she would charge at him until he submitted. It sounds like they are trying to establish dominance.

From what you mentioned regarding size, I would guess they are both female.

 

[Fmellish]

THanks