My fancy percula lost her mate!

[blennielove]

I've had this spawning pair for two years, but the male recently decreased his food intake and died yesterday. The female is eating well but often "looks" for him, she would wonder away from her home and look up and down. It is really sad so I thought maybe to get her a mate sooner rather than later. What are some things that I can do to increase the chance of a successful pairing? My LFS offered to take her in and try pairing her there but I don't like the thought of exposing her to infectious possibilities as the LFS is a huge system and they get in a lot of fish twice a week.
My thoughts are to go and pick out a smallish one, quarantine him for 4 weeks then transfer to DT. I was wondering if having him alone would cause him to turn into a female during this time?
Another question is, how are you all QTing your clowns?
Thank you!

 

[iMob]

ive tried keeping one in a breeder net and having the female get to know him and know that he's there and they paired after i released him from the net in 4 days.
that was with gold stripe maroons thou.
im sure it will do wonders with the percula.

 

[blennielove]

iMob, that's a good idea. I would hate to see a little guy getting beaten up and go hiding in my 225 gallon...I've had fish go missing in there only to find later that they've lodged themselves in a hole and can't get out!

 

[Aaarrrggg]

Apparently males can turn female in a month. Whether this will happen or not I can't say... just putting it on your radar!

It sounds weird, but maybe you could add her to the QT, either at the beginning or half way through(?) She'll probably accept him quicker in a new environment and then he won't have so much time alone to think girlie thoughts. Of course this would risk her if he DID end up getting ill... so it would be a bit of a gamble.