Clowns getting violent

[d4a2n0k]

Ive had a pair of Saddle Back Clowns for about 4 months now. I bought them as a pair with of course the Male being much smaller than the Female. They've been fine up until today.

Tonight I heard a commotion from my tank which was 20 feet away and noticed they were barking at each other and biting on each others mouths and spinning like mad. They were barking loud enough to hear them in another room.

Did my Male turn Female?

Thanks in advance.

 

[traveller7]

Lots of things are possible, how large are they both and was the smaller specimen showing signs of submission the last 4 months?

fwiw: A local breeder had a saddleback male turn female and kill his former mate, so it is possible.

 

[d4a2n0k]

The Female is about 3 1/2" and the Male is a little over 2". She is still much bigger than him but they have both grown since I got them.

She used to chase him, not out for blood, and he would roll over and shake. She would then stop the chase. I noticed that up until last week so he WAS submitting to her. Last night they were both barking at each other, looked like their heads were shaking when they were making the noises.

What concerns me is that they havent had an easy life. A few weeks after adding them to my tank, the bottom blew out and I didnt have another tank to put them in so they both went together to a friends 200 gallon sump until I setup my new tank. I always had them travel in the same bag/bucket when moving them back and forth but they've both been together the whole time. I wonder if the stress of two moves messed them up?

Up until last night they always slept near each other but last night noticed they were on opposite ends of the tank.

Its not looking good for me.

 

[traveller7]

Not sounding good for them, be cautious and be prepared to separate them; permanently if the behavior results in real damage.

 

[d4a2n0k]

Thanks. So far no damage but will keep an eye out.