how do you tell if clowns are mated

[puffer21]

I plan on going and buying some clown fish soon and i would like to get a mated pair how can i tell if they are mated. I have heard that the male is smaller and the female is larger but what if there are like 6 clowns in a tank how can you tell which are pairs. thanks for anyhelp.

 

[Nagel]

If there's 6 in a tank, and two are mated, they will own 2/3 of the tank, and the other 4 will be on the other side.

Usually mated pairs are the only pair in a tank. Most LFS's that I have been to keep them seperated from the other clowns as they have more value being a pair..

Or you could get two smaller clowns, let them decide who gets to be boy / girl and have a mated pair in a year or so..

Mated pairs will usually be of different sizes, accept each other (you may see the male do the "submissive shimmy" to the female), and don't generally fight..

If there are 6 in a tank, and they are captive bred, chances are there aren't mated pairs, and possibly not even pairs yet. Most would be juveniles still..

 

[puffer21]

ok thanks and i have one more question what is better a Ocellaris clown fish or true percula and what is th big diffence

 

[Nagel]

Neither is "better" really..

The big difference is the number of dorsal spines. And Perculas seem to have wider more prominant black bars on their sides.

From a breeding perspective, Ocellaris are better, they grow out faster. Perculas take a year or so, while Ocellaris can be sold at 5-6 months typically..

 

[puffer21]

so if i were to get two it would not matter which two they just have to be the same

 

[Nagel]

Pretty much. As long as they are juveniles. If the tank has a lot of smaller clowns of the same type (eg. all perculas, all ocellaris), its alot easier to pair..

Some people have paired different species, but its not common. Two ocellaris clowns that are 3/4" to 1 1/2" should be unsexed.. As they get older, the dominant one will turn to a female, and the submissive will turn to a male..

 

[Nagel]

ps. if a single clown stays alone (no other clowns) for a month or more (depending on age) its almost guaranteed to turn female..

 

[puffer21]

ok thanks so it doesnt matter than if i get a percaule or occiles

 

[Nagel]

Nope.. Both are easy to care for..

 

[puffer21]

ok thank you

 

[jerrym21]

in my opinion the true Percula is a nicer looking fish of the two, I like the way the wider black bars look. I agree that there is no dif in keeping one or the other.

 

[puffer21]

ok ya that is the one i think i like but was wondering if there was a big diffence of if it was jut the strip so thank everyone

 

[traveller7]

Re: how do you tell if clowns are mated

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6722741#post6722741 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by puffer21
I plan on going and buying some clown fish soon and i would like to get a mated pair how can i tell if they are mated.

Buy a pair that lays viable eggs from someone that has had them breed.

Two clownfish together tolerating each other may or may not even be Male and Female. At best, two that have been together for awhile are "Pair Bonded" which is not a "Mated Pair."

Best of luck in the search.

 

[puffer21]

oh ok