Couple o' Clown ?'s

[Cubed]

Alright, so I've had my pair of tank raised ocellaris clowns for around 4 months now. THe female is quite larger in size then the male.

Question one, how do I know if they are spawning? They both do a little "wiggle" towards each other quite often, does that hint at anything?

Question two, if this is the case, does this distract them from eating? They pick and eat, but no where near as much as they used to, is this tied to anything?

Thanks for your help,

Ben

 

[Toddrtrex]

I would be surprised if they started spawning after 4 months. What you are most likely seeing is them still sorting out the dominance, and becoming a "bonded pair". If they were actually spawning, you would be able to see the eggs --- the would hang out around that spot and fan the eggs. And if you get lucky you might be able to watch them spawn.

I have never noticed any decrease in eating prior to spawning (( actually an increase )) or even during the dominance/bonding process. Has anything changed with the tank? What are your parameters, if something is out of line that could decrease their eating.

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

When I first got clowns I thought they were spawning the day after I got them! LOL!
Then as I became more experienced I learned more. You probably have a bonded "pair." They will start spawning at the age of 2-4 years if you are luck enough to get them to spawn.

 

[Cubed]

Tank is a FO tank and Amonia, Nitritate and Nitrite are all at 0. pH is @ 8.2 and salinity of 1.025.

A freckled hawkfish was added about 4 days ago, but he does no harm to the clowns, do you think he just initmidates them? I dunno... they are eating, but they used to be pigs, now they only eat a couple pieces.