confused clownfish?

[cdcreveling]

okay. so I have had a pair of ocellaris clowns for over a year now. initially when I paired them, there was about 1/16"-1/8" size difference. I also added the smaller one a couple of months after the larger one. as I expected, the larger one established dominance. the female I assumed. both fish have grown, however, the smaller one has since outgrown the larger one by 1/8"-3/16". the now smaller fish is still the dominant and more aggressive of the two, so who is the male and who is the female? I have been waiting and hoping the pair would spawn, but I don't know if they have gotten themselves confused, and that's why I haven't seen any eggs yet. should I continue to hold out hope, or should I remove one if them and establish a new pair?

thanks,
chad

 

[shifty51008]

you will see a bigger diffrence in size when they have formed a breeding pair, mine are almost 3/4 - 1" diffrence. to me is sounds like they haven't completly worked things out yet.

 

[AkoAung]

to me is sounds like they haven't completly worked things out yet.

hahaha that sounds like a relationship LOL.

 

[snorvich]

you will see a bigger diffrence in size when they have formed a breeding pair, mine are almost 3/4 - 1" diffrence. to me is sounds like they haven't completly worked things out yet.

Yes, I agree, they have not worked it out. My speculation is that the smaller one added later was on the way to becoming female. That is why I always start them very small and add concurrently. I do not know if they can regress once they start down the path to "femalehood".

 

[shifty51008]

I know in this pic you cant see the length but just from looking at them side by side you can see the diffrence in size.

 

[cdcreveling]

Yes, I agree, they have not worked it out. My speculation is that the smaller one added later was on the way to becoming female. That is why I always start them very small and add concurrently. I do not know if they can regress once they start down the path to "femalehood".

thanks for the replies!

snorvich, when I introduced the first clown, it was added simultaneously with another clown. unfortunately that one didn't make it, but but it was clear that it was or would become the "male". I knew that if I was going to introduce another clown, it would be important not to challenge the dominance if the first "female" clown. so when choosing a new mate, I made it a point to choose the smallest clown to ensure that it was a juvenile and sexually immature. it's obvious, I think, that he has accepted his role as "male". very passive and submissive. I'll try to upload some pics or video. I'm just puzzled that "he" is bigger than "she" is, and I'm wondering if I should try to replace one, or start over with a new pair, or just continue hoping.