Clowns cleaning rocks

[papa_dog]

I have a trio of O. Clowns I inherited with my tank (I realize that a trio is not generally considered good, but they had been together a year when I got them and I've seen very little aggression from any of three).

Some Background - I got them about 10 months ago with my tank (it was a FOWLR then) they were all about the same size (about 1.5" long) and I think they were likely all juveniles - even though the previous owner had them for about 1 year. Since then they appear to have been maturing - the female - the largest one - is now almost 3", the male is about 2.25" and the smallest is still only about 1.5"-1.75" (still juvenile?). The Clowns are in a 120g DT that I am slowly turning into a mixed reef.

In any event, I noticed tonight that the male and female are cleaning the rocks under their cave/frogspawn where they sleep (they still haven't properly found the RBTA - the male has and plays in it, but the female hasn't yet been in it more than once).

Anyone have a idea approximately how long they will continue to clean the rocks before spawning - if they will end up spawning at all that is.

Also, I was looking at ordering the Joyce Anemone book and just wondered if it is worth it (I tried to order it once before, but it ended up being backordered from the vendor I chose on Amazon, so I eventually cancelled the order).

Thanks for any info you give.

Keith.

 

[SwampyBill]

There really is no set time frame for clowns to spawn once they start cleaning their rock/territory. My 2 b/w occi's cleaned & fluttered around theirs for months earlier this year & still haven't laid eggs. If yours are starting to mature, I'd find another home for the juvi...The three may have gotten along up to this point, but once a pair start to mature & spawn, they become more aggressive & will fight any other clownfish percieved in their territory. Good luck!
I highly recommend Joyce D. Wilkerson's book; it's well worth it & a great read...

 

[papa_dog]

So, it's basically a wait and see when and if it happens. Got to admit it's been really interesting to watch them mature and I was quite excited to see them start to clean the rocks yesterday for the first time.

I still can't believe how quick the female has grown compared to the other two. I know that's what's supposed to happen, but it's still really cool to see it happen.

Guess I will finally get the little guy out. I keep putting it off since he (more likely it I guess) is actually my favourite of the three as he seems to have the most personality. He was the first to try to get different things to host him - first the green star polyps, then the frogspawn and then he was the first to actually go into the RBTA (although the actual male keeps following behind, usually by a few days, and then pushes the little one out and takes over the spot). There has also been so little real aggression - although I guess it's coming.

Maybe I'll toss him into the sump for now and try to find a new home for him (don't think I can talk the wife into another tank - lol).

Sounds like it would be worth it to try and order the Joyce Wilkerson Clownfish book again.

Keith

 

[SwampyBill]

I agree--it's facinating to watch clownfish behavior. My b/w occelaris pair (Cookie n Cream) are 2 of my favorite fish & have given me & my cat hours of enjoyment... Your little guy sounds pretty cool; do you have any friends with established tanks to house it while you talk the wife into another tank...?

 

[pavelow360]

So, it's basically a wait and see when and if it happens. Got to admit it's been really interesting to watch them mature and I was quite excited to see them start to clean the rocks yesterday for the first time.

I still can't believe how quick the female has grown compared to the other two. I know that's what's supposed to happen, but it's still really cool to see it happen.

Guess I will finally get the little guy out. I keep putting it off since he (more likely it I guess) is actually my favourite of the three as he seems to have the most personality. He was the first to try to get different things to host him - first the green star polyps, then the frogspawn and then he was the first to actually go into the RBTA (although the actual male keeps following behind, usually by a few days, and then pushes the little one out and takes over the spot). There has also been so little real aggression - although I guess it's coming.

Maybe I'll toss him into the sump for now and try to find a new home for him (don't think I can talk the wife into another tank - lol).

Sounds like it would be worth it to try and order the Joyce Wilkerson Clownfish book again.

Keith

Sounds like you are too fond of the juevenile to "toss em in the sump" lol

I have read this on several occasions, do you have a lighted sump?

I have a fish I cant get rid of and resist putting him in the sump even though I do not like him very much... lol

BTW: I ordered the book recently from amazon and live overseas... It was delivered in a reasonable amount of time... not criticizing the book at all, but if I had it to do over, I might of gone and just checked it out from the library lol

 

[clownfreak]

You may not have aggression issues there. It is a big enough tank that it can stay out of the others territory. I'd just keep an eye on them and remove the juvie if need be. Typically in a smaller tank a trio or two pairs wouldn't work but it may in the 120. JMO

 

[SwampyBill]

I've heard of 2 clown pairs in same very large tank still travelling the length of tank to fight each other. As I stated earlier, maybe your 3 will be ok for awhile, but I fear this won't end good...At the 1st sign of aggression or torn fins/tail, I'd remove it. We're supposed to keep our animals as stress-free as possible. If there's even the possibility of aggression & fighting, why chance it? Anything else is just plain cruel, IMO. I say put the juvie in your sump with some GSP (if that's what he liked before), & try selling him on here, or bring him to LFS for store credit. Once again, good luck.

 

[Winwood]

One of my friends father has a trio oc occellaris in a 210. All 3 live in a large crispa. The dominant pair spawn regularly and actually allow the third member to help in defense of the eggs. I realize that his situation is quite rare but just wanted to demonstrate it's possibilty.