GS Maroon Pairing issues ..Help wanted

NbMaxx13

NbMaxx13

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A few months ago I picked up a beautiful pair of GS Maroons ... I will preface this next bit by saying that I hardly ever lose a fish ( I think that in the last 3 years a total of 3 deaths total , and I have had anywhere from 5 to 10 tanks going the whole time ... I lost the male of the pair about a month into having them ... So about 2 months have passed and I had the oportunity to pick up another ... SO I orderd a Small GS and it came in beautiful ... The size difference is about Female 3-3.5 inches and the new guy is about 1-1.5 inches... When I introduced the new one imediately the Female attacked ... She is being extremely aggresive ... To the point of nipping at the fins and taking a bit off of the little one...

Now I know that they have to work out the submissiveness of the relationship... My question is this ... How much is too much? When should I just take the little one out ? ..I put him in a speciman container for now ...There is no Anem. in the tank...How long should I wait to try again? ..and how do I know if She is just not going to accept ... ... I would feel absolutely horrible if the little guy didnt make it ...

In general I am really asking for some advice...comments...suggestions here ... A.S.A.P. ..I really appreciate you reading and look forward to hearing from you all ...
 
Hey guys. Been there done that. When you placed the little one in the tank did you notice him display submissive behavior? He should be constantly quivering at her when she attacks him. If he isn't doing this then she may not back down. With Maroons it's always a good idea to take a container and drill it and place the small guy in it and either hang it or sink it near her for 24-48 hours. This method worked for me and he only ended up with a a few shredded fins. She will shred some fins but keeping him within her sight inside a container will let her cool down and not be so harsh on him.

If he displays no submissive behavior I would get a smaller one. It is recommended that a 3/4"-1" size is best. Also, make sure when you release him that you are prepared to remove him. You will know when she is just harrassing him or truly out to kill him. If he dosn't submit to her by quivering and kissing her cheeks I would be concerned for his life and just exchange him for a smaller one.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10575538#post10575538 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr Stomato
When you placed the little one in the tank did you notice him display submissive behavior? He should be constantly quivering at her when she attacks him. If he isn't doing this then she may not back down. With Maroons it's always a good idea to take a container and drill it and place the small guy in it and either hang it or sink it near her for 24-48 hours.
Click to expand...

It did seem to have the submissive behavior that I see in all my other clowns...but she was very persistant ... It did look like she was trying to kill him... I will leave him in the container for a while and hope things calm down... When I introduced him , imediately they got "cheek to cheek" which I haven't observed in any of my other clown species... Is this normal submissive behavior?
 
Yeap, the male kissin the females cheeks is Maroon behavior. I was pretty worried when I paired mine and the poor little guy took a healthy beating but now she loves him to death. Occassionally she will still dart at him if he's in "her spot" on the anemone. He kisses her and shes all better.
 
Mr Stomato

Really appreciate the reasuring (sp?) words.... I guess I am just freaking out a little as usual ... We are just really crazy about all of our pets and stress pretty good when one seems to have a hard time ... Thanks


Anyone else have any comments, suggestions?
 
comments? sure: ditto.
suggestions? sure: do what he said :)


sorry, but he got there first!

mine are about the same sizes as yours--my male does the spasm dance and kisses her cheeks. even the other fish in my tank defer to her, but the male maroon has learned his place.

the more comfortable she is, the better off they'll be...have you thought about getting a nem? i dont know your lights/setup, so i cant comment there.

keep him in view/smell for her, and she'll get more used to him.

dont forget, no nets!
 
Oh yes, Tim brings up a very good point there. Female maroons are very moody so the more comfy she is the better. If she had an anemone it would give some comfort also some suggest to fatten her up real good before releasing him.
 
Well ...She doesn't have a Anem yet ... I have 4 tanks set up right now ... All have different types of Clowns in them .. I have a pair of Occelaris that I have had for over 3 years ..I adopted a Clarks Clown about 3-4 months ago from a local tank breakdown .and am about to start the research on pairing her up.. and have a single black Perc. ...and of course the Maroon that we adopted from a local tank breakdown.. I have access to Anems pretty much allways as there are a few friends in the local reef club who are extremely generous with me.. So all of my clowns will eventually have thier own but for now just my 2 display tanks house them ... We will be moving in a month or two to a bigger place so I will be able to have larger tanks with proper lighting so I will feel comfortable having more Anems.. Just had an offer today actually for 3 Pink Skunks , they are beautiful but I am running out of room ...

Tim good point about the nets as well .... I haven't used a net in years as I don't see the benifit with any fish espescially Maroons...

Thanks again ..as the posts calm me down a little lol
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10575617#post10575617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mr Stomato
Occassionally she will still dart at him if he's in "her spot" on the anemone. He kisses her and shes all better.
Click to expand...

If only human women were that easy to appease. :mad2:
 
I think you'll have better luck pairing w/ out the nem, they can be real protective of them.
Keep w/ the specimen container.
My female killed the first 2 males b4 I could even fish them out.
3rd time was a charm for me, floated in specimen container for 4 days b4 releasing.
Now all is well.

Tankupdate0807026.jpg


Tankupdate0807141.jpg
 
davocean ... Great pics ... I would say the size difference is about the same as the 2 you have shown....My female my be slighlty smaller......So yeah I will try this and let you all know how it works...the info has been great ....
 
Thanks, it was a promo thing given to me from the guys at Current USA when I was there last.
Great for spec cont. or loose frags like shrooms, zenia...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10578274#post10578274 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDhky
Can gold stripes mate with regular ones?
Click to expand...

Regular Maroons you mean? ... I believe so , but lets see what somemore knowledgable folks say ....
 
I've been told yes, but I haven't personally known anyone who has done it.
I'm hoping to have success w/ mine.
 
I tried again today to no avail ... I will continue for another day or 2 but I do belive once I find this little guy a home in one of the local reefers tanks I should get rid of him...I can't see killing the lil one just for my wanting to have a "pair" ....sad but ... ah well .. I will try again eventually...
 
My first 2 try's the female absolutely hated them, attacking the container furiously even though they were obviously submitting/twitching.
3rd time she never seemed bothered by the new guy.
All 3 were about 1", and GSM.
I don't know why she took to the 3rd so easy, timing maybe or who knows?
I'd keep in spec cont. and try a couple more times.
If she doesn't take to it, try another male again at a later date.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10588448#post10588448 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davocean
My first 2 try's the female absolutely hated them, attacking the container furiously even though they were obviously submitting/twitching.
3rd time she never seemed bothered by the new guy.
All 3 were about 1", and GSM.
I don't know why she took to the 3rd so easy, timing maybe or who knows?
I'd keep in spec cont. and try a couple more times.
If she doesn't take to it, try another male again at a later date.
Click to expand...

Yeah ...I think I will just keep trying... I am going to try a few more times with this male ..and I allready have a great home to take him if it doesn't work... I think that will be the only way I do it from now on .. I will find a home for it ahead of time and that way if it doesn't work I don't have to stress...

Thanks for the response folks...I will keep you all updated ...all of the advice is greatly appreciated ...
 
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