Maroon clown pairing not going well - tips?

[grimlykindo]

I've had a 4" maroon clown for over a year and recently got a 1.5" juvenile maroon in hopes I could pair them up. They have identical color and bars and with the size difference I thought it would go smoothly. The small clown was put in a large clear breeder box and placed in the tank with my big one for 24 hours. My big clown was clearly interested in the little guy and interacted the whole time through the container. The small one was even showing signs of submission and shaking. But when i opened the box and let him free the big clown just attacked and chased him relentlessly. I broke it up and returned him to the box when I saw some fin damage. I let him recuperate and tried again today but the same thing happened.

Any tips? Poor guy is healthy but getting beat up - how do I know when to call it quits?

 

[SwampyBill]

Maroon clowns can be the most aggressive & difficult to pair up, but the little one doing the submissive dance is a good sign. I'd give it some more time. How long has it been? 2 days? Keep him in the breeder box most of the time & monitor their interaction. If all goes ok, let him out more but only when you're able to watch them. If aggression gets worse & fins or tail are damaged & torn more, I'd find one of them another home. Good luck!

 

[OrionN]

Leave him in the box for two weeks or more then try again. Let him shows and she sees submission without him getting kill for a while. Keep some PVC in the tank where he can run and hide and she cannot get to him incase she decides to show him who wear pants in this household. Once thig get better you can remove the PVC.

 

[davocean]

My last maroon killed the first 2 males I intro'd, and that was even using the breeder box method, and floating for several days before intro.
My 3rd and final attempt was very different, her behavior was so peaceful and curious instead of attacking like the first 2.
It was so obvious that I released him pretty much right away, no probs.
All 3 males were virtually identical, small as they come.
I have no idea why, just her being picky/fussy on male she accepted.
I expect light badgering, chasing, but if fins are being torn, pull it.
Try floating for a while again, but you may need to just wait and try another male same method later.