GSM Pairing

[Nanz]

I had a pair of Gold Striped Maroon Clown fish and after 15 days the smaller one died. The smaller clown would not eat. I tried to feed him brine shrimp and still he would not eat. The fish store that I bought the clown pair from sent me another clown to pair but this clown fish was 3.5 inches, which was about ½ of an inch larger than my surviving clown from the pair. As soon as I put the new one in the tank he bit and tore two of the old GSM clown's fins. I have a RBTA and the new one took over the Anemone and would not let the old one come near. I removed the new clown and placed him in a 12gallon nano-cube. I was afraid he would kill the old one in my display tank. Any suggestions as to what I should do? Below is a picture of the pair or clowns before the smaller one died.

I have read the “Pairing Thread” but I wonder if my problem is the size of my new clown fish.

 

[Laggy]

I assume you bought the two original as a set pair and didnt pair them up. If that is the case I would try to take the old and new one back and try to get a new pair that is actually a pair. GSM are a pain in the butt to pair up for the most part.

 

[Nanz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11121370#post11121370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Laggy
I assume you bought the two original as a set pair and didnt pair them up. If that is the case I would try to take the old and new one back and try to get a new pair that is actually a pair. GSM are a pain in the butt to pair up for the most part.

Thats what the LFS store said as well. I suppose I will just have one for now. Kinda attached to the Marron I have, heheh.

What is interesting is that when I turn off the powerheads and return pump the Clown in my DT will leave the Anemone and rush to the opposite side of the tank to see the other Maroon in the 12gallon Nano-cube. They both then try eagerly to get through the glass to each other. Talk about aggressive, hehe... I think they are vengeful!

 

[Nightfall_fish]

I've actually had luck pairing GBM's. just be sure you get one smaller than your existing one. That way it is either a smaller male, or a sexually imature fish that will become submissive to the one you have.

 

[timrandlerv10]

yeah--take the larger replacement back to the lfs and get the smallest one they have. if isnt small enough, just leave the big one there and wait--when they get smalls, maybe you can pick it up on shipping day, and avoid a second acclimation.

bring the small home, and put 'her' in a basket/fry container/maybe even the nano next door and let him get used to the territory. then you can work on letting her decide if she wants him--be ready to save his butt if she goes nuts and wants to kill him!

there is an exhaustive thread on pairing gsm's. well worth it imo--mine are great.

maybe somebody can find the thread for you.

keys: tiny tiny replacement--so you know it's not a she and it can move up to being a he. protect it from her by letting it roam the tank--she sees he's staying. no nets. good luck