hey all. just wanted to share some good fortune with you all. i've had a large female gsm for about 2 years now and she is the devil incarnate. she's constantly moving rocks that are near her anemone, constantly bites my hand when i'm working on the tank and has chased a few fish to their death. with all that said i still really love her because of how mean she is so i decided to get her a boyfriend.
i've read all about pairing gsm's in the sticky and elsewhere and my local fish shop finally had a suitable trial companion. they had a tiny tank raised maroon that wasn't more then 1/2" and the bands were still white. for some reason he was only $20 so i scooped him up and a small plastic beta tank that sealed on top. took them both home an acclimated the fish. drilled a few holes in the beta tank and then got the new little guy in there right by her anemone. i was shocked that not once did she show any aggression at all towards the little fella....not even one charge. after an hour i let him out.
he hovered at the top of the tank for about another hour but she still showed zero aggression towards him. i ate some dinner and when i checked back on the tank the little guy was in the anemone with the female. i couldn't believe my eyes and i'm incredibly happy.
the reason for this post is to give hope. i know it's really chance if maroons will pair but it can happen. if you really want to give it a shot do, but try your best to keep the little guy safe with the seperation technique. hopefully you will get as lucky as myself. thanks for all the help and reading material that gets posted on here. i wouldn't have made it this far in the hobby without this forum. happy reefing.
i've read all about pairing gsm's in the sticky and elsewhere and my local fish shop finally had a suitable trial companion. they had a tiny tank raised maroon that wasn't more then 1/2" and the bands were still white. for some reason he was only $20 so i scooped him up and a small plastic beta tank that sealed on top. took them both home an acclimated the fish. drilled a few holes in the beta tank and then got the new little guy in there right by her anemone. i was shocked that not once did she show any aggression at all towards the little fella....not even one charge. after an hour i let him out.
he hovered at the top of the tank for about another hour but she still showed zero aggression towards him. i ate some dinner and when i checked back on the tank the little guy was in the anemone with the female. i couldn't believe my eyes and i'm incredibly happy.
the reason for this post is to give hope. i know it's really chance if maroons will pair but it can happen. if you really want to give it a shot do, but try your best to keep the little guy safe with the seperation technique. hopefully you will get as lucky as myself. thanks for all the help and reading material that gets posted on here. i wouldn't have made it this far in the hobby without this forum. happy reefing.
