Maroon Clownfish Pairing

[Johnathanb]

Hello everyone, I just started a saltwater tank about 2 months ago, and just recently decided it was the right time to buy fish. So I bought two juvenile maroon clownfish, with a bubbletip anemone.

I have done research on the maroon clowns for quite some time now, and do know they are the hardest to pair (from what I have read). One of the maroon fish has hosted the anemone and taken it for its own. The other swims near the anemone, because the other one wont let him in (poor guy). Every once an awhile the one hosting the anemone will jolt out towards the poor guy, and I guess peck at him untill he starts to shake, then leaves him alone. During the night the poor guy goes into the corner of the tank and sleeps, when the lights turn on, he goes right back to the same spot starting the whole shaking thing again (kind of sad).

My questions is, if this is a good sign that they are pairing, and how long could this posibbly take?

Another concern of mine is, the maroon hosting the anemone, is noticably a brighter shade of maroon, then the poor guy, he is noticably darker. Could this be part of a stress thing?

Thanks

 

[Zalman]

Ignoring the fact that your tank is probably too new for fish and most certainly too new for an anemone. When a fish get charged at and begins shaking, it is typically a sign of submission and sounds like the begining stages of pairing.

 

[Hernandezj11]

Hope all goes well from you!
But from what I have read throughout the forum is that anemone should normally be introduced in mature aquariums.
Maybe there is an exception...

 

[Johnathanb]

Thanks for your inputs. How can you tell when your tank has matured? I have live rock which used to belong in an older tank, with coraline algae already on them, including all kinds of neat stuff that I come across almost everyday. The anemone seems to be doing fine, it moved around several times, and has finally settled in one place on the side of the live rock.

 

[Johnathanb]

Im getting nervous now, that you said that my tank isnt mature! I hope everything will be alrite. The fish are fine, and eatting well.

 

[Johanv]

Im not an expert but threw all the reading ive done, mostly everyone recommends waiting ateast 6-9 months

 

[Johnathanb]

Ah alrite, well like i said before, hope all goes well atleast for the anemone and maroon's. I have done my share of research aswell, and just figured it was a good time to add fish. Im pretty sure my tank has cycled, I have a good clean up crew aswell, none of them have died in the past 2 months.

 

[Zalman]

There are multiple phases to a cycle of a new tank. And while it may be somewhat "safe" early on. It isnt always stable which is what an anemone prefers. It is recommended that you wait 6+ months for an anemone to ensure that your tank will be as stable as possible for this creature. Getting one sooner than that may work.... it may not. It is substantially more risky.

And the most famous line of all. This hobby is about patience. Rushing with get you into a car crash or something like that... i forgot the rest

 

[Johnathanb]

Thanks for the information about the anemone everyone.

Now for the other question was the color difference between my maroons. The one in the anemone is a brighter maroon color, and the one outside is a darker maroon color. Anyone have any thoughts or information about this?

 

[Zalman]

Clowns in an anemone can and often change colors.

 

[Johnathanb]

Thanks for the help Zalman!