Does anyone know HOW LONG it takes for Male --> Female ocellaris after removing mate

[andymh]

The breeder net method that davocean used might have worked in your situation but its tough to tell for sure. I have a WC PNG percula pair that took about two months to sort out their issues and for the larger one to finally quit chasing the smaller one. Some clowns seem to know to do the submissive dance to avoid agression but others would rather run instead. As long as there's not physical damage being done and the other clown is actually out moving around and eating, it may have been possible to wait a little bit longer.

Hope that helps

 

[Newreeflady]

hmmm. The little one also doesn't do the shake, and it is clearly a juvie (small, maybe 4 cm), instead he also just runs way. So, seems you're right... that didn't mean it wasn't working out, just that she/he didn't get it. She definitely wasn't fighting. "She's" probably just about 2", and was housed with a juvie that ORA clearly saw pairing behavior with. Given the size, Dave seemed to think we should assume her female. And, if it is so, then why wouldn't my male pair with her? Even if he is larger? What's his problem?!

In the presence of a female that is smaller than him, would my male become female to vie for dominance?

Let's say I were to risk this again, pull the baby out, and put her in a breeding net. How would I tell if it became a match? Will they actually even pair up if she's in a breeding net? How stressful would this be for her?

Thanks!
Angela

 

[davocean]

Since your angel was nipping too, I think you did right to pull it, as it probably spotted injury/weakness that made it join in IMO.
My honest opinion?
You rushed it.
The guy was attached to a mate just a bit ago, I'm sure it doesn't know what's going on, could be waiting for mom to return for all we know.
that's why I suggested chill out, take your time, find a male you really dig, and really you should be QTing these guys before intro, but I'm guilty of rushing that myself...
At this point I would say if you don't like the lil guy, return it, or if you do, float it, see what happens.
They need to see and smell that new clown for a bit, and the black needs time to transition, I "think", but again, educated guess, and no visual on my end.
I'm not saying I'm some crazy clown whisperer or something, but you do kinda get a knack for clown/nem placement and behavior after a period of observation.

 

[Newreeflady]

Yeah, I rushed it because I thought he was lonely. I felt bad about his loss. But, I think you're right- he's probably trying to protect his nest until his beloved returns, hence keeping the other fishes away.

I like the new fishes, too, and they were ordered online so no returns. You're right, I should have QTd, and I have no excuse as I have a functional QT set up right now. I think my rush was again a misperception of what should be happening. I was trying to order a female for my male and I didn't want my male to change to female before I got one, hence the initial rush. But, now I'm not sure this will work out at all and I'm feeling rather flustered. At this point I'll be happy if I can pair either of these fish with my male, but I would have preferred to have paired the "female" with him.

So, the big question is:

If this new fish was a female, then would my male eventually accept her or will he rather try to transition to female to fight her?

As to the angel, she seems to chase this smaller clown less (probably sees it as less of a threat), but still some. And, my male really chases it, no differently from the other. The little guy seems to be dealing with it OK, just swimming away. Still out in the open for now.

 

[davocean]

Well, part of the issue is what may be the female, is smaller than him, I don't know exactly what it is about that, but it's just that way always, female bigger than male.
The angel is just defending space/territory most likely, especially if it's the 56g.
Don't think of the male as lonely like a person as much as just going on instincts, I doubt he's singing lost love country songs.
Maybe trade the pair for credit, wait for a nice new male, intro properly.
Maybe rearrange rock for angel too, maybe.

 

[Newreeflady]

Yeah, the whole trading thing is not an option. I don't have an lfs and paid a lot for this pair. I will first put them in another system rather than take a huge hit like I would by trading them in.

Yeah, the female being smaller than male thing is concerning. Dunno if it is possible to pair them. Guess I'll just try with the male/juvie that's in there right now.

The angel is only 2" long, it's the smallest of the dwarf angels. That said, yes, I think it is defending its territory- the whole system.

thx for the input. I'll let you know how it ends up eventually...