clowns fighting

[WarEagleU1986]

I have a black occelaris and an orange occelaris in a 20 gallon QT. They around 1.5 inches. My LFS said they would be fine together. Thave been hanging out together peacefully for the first two weeks but are now fighting non stop. The black one is bullying the orange one into hiding. Will they not get along since they are not the same color?

 

[Stevenliu9]

Clowns are damsels, they will constantly fight. Unless two can pair up as a breeding couple they will fight in such small space. And it doesn't matter if they are different color or species. I learned it the hard way had a tomato clown and a Clarkii fought really bad for months and eventually the clarkii killed the tomato, and that's in a 92G tank. if they can't get along now, you probably should not put them together you'll end up losing one either killed or jump.

 

[Cole.97]

it is not because they are the same color. I have a pair of one B&W and one orange/white ocellaris. It is probably because you have two that are similar in size and they are fighting for who gets to be the female (clownfish are hermaphrodites).

 

[WarEagleU1986]

it is not because they are the same color. I have a pair of one B&W and one orange/white ocellaris. It is probably because you have two that are similar in size and they are fighting for who gets to be the female (clownfish are hermaphrodites).

If this is the case will it stop? The orange one is just staying between a rock and the glass the whole time

 

[Azedenkae]

The question is how are they fighting? Is there any actual injuries caused by the attacks? Do they actually hit each other? Or do they actually not touch?

 

[WarEagleU1986]

The question is how are they fighting? Is there any actual injuries caused by the attacks? Do they actually hit each other? Or do they actually not touch?

I dont see any damage but they were actually locking up mouth to mouth in the beginning but now the one just runs from the other and the other is constantly looking to fight.

 

[WarEagleU1986]

I dont see any damage but they were actually locking up mouth to mouth in the beginning but now the one just runs from the other and the other is constantly looking to fight.

So its time to put them in the DT as i have 2 fish from DD coming. They are fighting less now but the black one is still very aggressive when i feed and even outside of feeding randomly attacks the orange one. should i take one of them back to the lfs?

Will a single clownfish be ok in my tank/. I ask bc i have always seen them in pairs.

 

[snorvich]

it is not because they are the same color. I have a pair of one B&W and one orange/white ocellaris. It is probably because you have two that are similar in size and they are fighting for who gets to be the female (clownfish are hermaphrodites).

I agree. It is probable that both have started to sexually differentiate and the war is about who will become female. In my opinion, since they can not regress to non-differentiated, that it will not work out.

 

[WarEagleU1986]

I agree. It is probable that both have started to sexually differentiate and the war is about who will become female. In my opinion, since they can not regress to non-differentiated, that it will not work out.

Wait, So your saying that you think they may have both already became female. If they are just starting to differentiate then wont one become female and the other not?

If this is the case will the one clown be ok by himself in the dT?

Could i just try getting another orange one that is a good bit smaller?

 

[snorvich]

Wait, So your saying that you think they may have both already became female. If they are just starting to differentiate then wont one become female and the other not? No, I think both have started down the female track

If this is the case will the one clown be ok by himself in the dT? yes

Could i just try getting another orange one that is a good bit smaller?

that is what I would do if you want a pair; the smaller, the better

 

[edinphilly]

My two orange did the exact same thing you describe and they're fine now. One is clearly female and dominant now but for a month and a half they battled it out.

 

[WarEagleU1986]

My two orange did the exact same thing you describe and they're fine now. One is clearly female and dominant now but for a month and a half they battled it out.

I did get a glimpse of them this morning and they were sleeping right beside each other. But when they are awake its another story. Its gotten better over the past couple days but there are still some flare ups

 

[edinphilly]

Yeah mine have been fine for months but everyone in awhile the skirmish a little.

 

[Fish Ed]

They're fighting for dominance, as someone stated already that clowns are hermaphrodites. Since they're still young and around the same size, they will fight to become the dominant one, which will become the female and she will grow larger than the male. That had happen to me everytime I add a pair same size clowns. But the fighting process usually last a month. After that it's fine.