maroons fighting....i should have read more

[champscorner]

hello all,

I've had a maroon in my tank now for about 6mons I'm guessing she's female as she's living singly(about 1.5" long). I decided today that i wanted to get her a mate as i found a small maroon(1")with unique markings that looked healthy. Anyway when i introduced the new maroon into the tank they sized each other up for about 5mins and then the new maroon spent the next 15mins charging and ,what i'm guessing, biting the old maroon. I now have the new maroon in my fuge. When they fight initially how long does it usually last? Any tricks to getting them to take to each other(don't have a specimen container currently)? Will they fight to the death or eventually get use to each other?

 

[JetCat USA]

at that size i doubt either is sexually mature and both are still it's, that being said I've tried at least 20 prospective mates for my 5" female over the past several yrs after her mate died and I've had no luck at all. i finely just ordered a mated pair earlier this week and unfortunately the male was crushed during shipping so now I've got two large females without a mate

 

[ACBlinky]

Maroons are hard to pair. If you run a search, there's a post specifically on pairing maroons - sounds like you actually might have read it already, because it involves using a small container within the tank. I believe the smaller of the two is placed into the container, while the female/larger maroon stays outside so she can't harm the new fish. I believe the idea is to watch for decreasing aggression and signs of submission in the smaller fish, meaning they'll form a pair, or a continual assault on the new fish, meaning they won't.

As JetCat USA said, it can take multiple attempts to form a successful pair. IMO it's worth it though - I bought a mated pair a little while ago and they're just wonderful. They're in a 30g by themselves, and they're two of the sweetest fish I've ever known. With nothing to be aggressive about, they spend their days renovating the tank and playing with each other. The only time I see the aggression maroons are known for is if I dare to come too close to the tank or *gasp* put a hand in to clean it - Then the teeth come out!

JetCat USA - I'm so sorry about the accident, how awful! I wish you luck pairing your two females.

 

[IslandCrow]

I believe there's info on pairing the maroons in the stickies somewhere, so take a look. Basically, it's what ACBlinky said, though. The only thing I'd add is that generally you want the larger fish to be about twice as big as the smaller one. The idea there is that the smaller of the two is so overwhelmed, it submits immediately. If they're both vying for dominance, they'll generally fight until one of them is dead. . .and yes, fighting maroon clownfish can and will fight to the death.

 

[JetCat USA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10873134#post10873134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IslandCrow
.........The only thing I'd add is that generally you want the larger fish to be about twice as big as the smaller one. The idea there is that the smaller of the two is so overwhelmed, it submits immediately.....

my original female is 5+ inch and the 20 or so i tried with her have all been less then 2" size and it's not a question of dominance, she'll attack the brood container that the potential mate is in and the poor little guy is scared to death trying to get out of his 6x6 cage before Jaw's busts through.

ACBlinky

i think if I'm ever gonna get a pair out of the two it'll be with the new one, she's much less aggressive then my old one, she is a misbar though.

and my old female:

 

[champscorner]

All,thanks for the info. For what it's worth i did red the sticky from beginning to end on clown pairing. Was hoping somebody out there had more ideas on getting them to take to each other. As of now I have the newer maroon(smaller) back in the display and now the older maroon is picking on it. Like they reveresed roles or something. They both are now hanging at oppisite ends of the tank but anytime they happen to get with in 18" or so they "female" charges the "male". Is this normal for a new introduction and how long might it last? thanks again guys/gals.

 

[JetCat USA]

Who'd Of Thunked It??

stopped in the LFS today looking for a 40 breeder to move my Clarkii pair into, he's had a tank raised maroon for about 2 months that is a little less then 1.5" size. he asked if i was still trying to pair mine up and i said I'd given up, he said 'I'll cut you a deal on that one, everybody wants dang nemo's these days and i can't sell him'

for the $$$ i figured I'd give it a try again. i floated the bag in the tank with my old maroon for about 15 min and she completely ignored it (a good sigh) but she's in a SPS dominated 75 currently and if it didn't work out it would be hell catching him back out so i put the bag in the frag tank with the new female that i got last week and she immediately came up to the bag showing interest and no aggression, within 15 min she was rubbing the bag and he was rolling on his side quivering

acclimated and released they can't get enough of one another.

 

[timrandlerv10]

wow congrats. sometimes all it takes is luck and being too dumb to quit--that's how i survive anyway

as far as 'how long does it take' i wouldnt worry about time (dont set a deadline, set a decision point...sound familiar?!).

if he's not being ripped to shreds, let them keep going, be a week or a month. if he's getting hurt seriously, take him out, be an hour or a day.

good luck!

OH--well fed clowns are happy clowns, and she'll be less likely to kill him...like when you buy wives/girlfriends flowers cause you're an idiot (again, that's how i survive anyway...)

 

[JetCat USA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10875225#post10875225 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by timrandlerv10
wow congrats. sometimes all it takes is luck and being too dumb to quit--

Thanks. I'd gotten so discouraged that it had gotten to the point i expected failure and I'm ecstatic about them pairing up.

went back there just now to get my bucket of filter socks for a trip to the washer and under the moon lights they are loved up in the back top corner of the tank, didn't wanna disturb them so the pic isn't the best quality.......

 

[IslandCrow]

Great to hear, JetCat. By the way, what I was saying about getting a significantly smaller maroon to pair with the big one was actually info for champscorner and not directed at you. It sounds like you've done your research. . .just not been so lucky until now.

Anyway, champscorner, just to be clear, did you read the section talking specifically about pairing maroon clownfish? The reason I ask is that it doesn't sound like you used the method suggested in the article. As far as how long the charging lasts, it often lasts until one of them is dead. I don't say that to be facetious, but as a warning. Since they're both pretty small, it may take them awhile for one to kill the other, but that's usually the end result. JetCat got really lucky to get his two to warm up to each other so quickly, and you may get even luckier and actually have your two eventually work out their differences, but the odds are really against you. I'd suggest taking one back, or at least somehow separate them so that they can still see each other (as I believe the article suggests) until the more aggressive one stops charging, and the less aggressive one shows signs of submission. By signs of submission, I mean it will turn on its side and start twitching. I'd just hate to have you posting next week that one of your clownfish is dead.

 

[JetCat USA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10877342#post10877342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IslandCrow
Great to hear, JetCat. By the way, what I was saying about getting a significantly smaller maroon to pair with the big one was actually info for champscorner and not directed at you. It sounds like you've done your research. . .just not been so lucky until now.

Yes i gathered that, i quoted you only because i was just further commenting on that not trying to go against what you posted.