Help me pair my maroon clowns

[collegeman]

Okay I have had a white stripe maroon clown for over 2 years. I purchased another one that was ½ inch to form a pair. The clowns been together for almost three months. They never showed aggression towards one another, have not came within 6 inches of one another either.
How can I pair my 2 years old maroon?
Should I exchange the smaller one for another slightly bigger?

 

[beastrx]

I can't believe the one you had didn't kill the other right off the bat. I'm guessing you would have to at least wait for the other to mature a little before they pair up. Every time you try to introduce another clown and the bigger it is, the more aggressive your clown will be towards it. I'd say if they aren't killing each other now I'd be happy with that and wait it out. JMO though

 

[collegeman]

i know, i was super surprised that they did not go after each other. They are both mean just not towards one another. The bigger one is mean to the other fish in the tank and the smaller one only goes after me.

 

[collegeman]

does anyone know why they ignore one another? If the large female was wild caught and the small male is tank breed, could that make a difference?

 

[Mike31154]

If the new one is only 1/2 inch in size, then perhaps it's just too juvenile for the larger one to bother with it yet. I like the advice from beastrx though, with some patience the little dude will eventually put on a bit of a growth spurt and mature to the point where the female will take notice. I witnessed the somewhat more violent pairing ritual with my Maroons and it can be stressful for all concerned. You could luck in here and end up avoiding the battle by giving the situation some time.

 

[collegeman]

i will give them more time. since it is no fighting going on i should be happy. was just wondering if one being wild caught and the other being tank breed making a difference.

good point Mike31154 about the smaller one being too juvenile. That makes a lot of since.

 

[Jigsaw]

2 Maroons, good choice! I have 2 myself and they are a pair . I got them both at the same time, but for awhile they acted exactly how you are describing! Just give it time and they will "find" each other. I'd say if the female hasn't killed the male yet, it's a good sign they will pair off soon

 

[P-Daddy]

Not to be a downer, but there is also a possibility that the larger maroon will kill the juvenile upon it reaching sexual maturity. It does bode well that it has lasted this long though. It was a matter of moments before my female killed a new addition.