Clownfish won't pair !!

[ImprezaSTi]

I have had my two ocellaris clownfish for TWO YEARS, and they still have not paired!!! Does it sometimes just not work out, or is there something I can do??

I bought them when one was about 1" and the other about 1.5". They didn't pair up after the first few months so I bought an anemone thinking, if they both live in the same home, they've got to get it going :love2:. But I was wrong, the bigger one always shows lots of dominance over the smaller one and does not seem to like him and won't let him in the anemone. I can evidently see that the smaller clown has bite marks all over his body.

Is it because I somehow bought two of the same sex? How can you tell if one is female or male besides that one is more dominant? Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[jt_milstead]

How big is your tank?Its not because of their sex. One should become dominant, and change sexes. I would try putting them together in a breeder box for a week or so, force them together.

 

[rkelman]

Its possible they are both female but I doubt it. One would be dead by now. If you put them in a breeder box for a week one will surely be dead. As with any animal there are no guarantees they will ever pair or mate. I'd probably separate them at this point and try another smaller one.

 

[awpong]

I don't know if you're going to read this since you haven't been active in a year, but I was wondering what the updates were with your clowns? I'm in a similar situation where I've had 2 tank raised ocellaris clowns for almost 2 years now and they still haven't paired.

I bought them each when they were about 1", and my male is currently 1.75"-2" while my female is 2.5"-2.75". The female is hosted by my frogspawn and my torch, while my male will take refuge in the torch whenever the female isn't in it.

My female doesn't seem to be as aggressive as yours sounded, but she does not like my male! However, she appears to have become tolerant of him as long as he doesn't get too close to her frogspawn. I'm just curious how your pair turned out, as I'd really like my clowns to pair and eventually spawn.

 

[HurricaneSystem]

Ah, to be stuck in a glass tank for the rest of your life with an ugly mate......clownfish have the life