New with this need some help

[PhxRob]

I am very interested in getting into breeding clowns (ocellaris). But have no idea how to tell which is male and female. Or when there ready to breed. And if there's anything you can do to help the process. I've done some research on the feeding process to feed the fry. But need a direction on how to if you can or how to tell when mating.

 

[shifty51008]

There is a book called clownfishes by joyce wilkerson that is a great read on clowns and how to breed them, it is an older book but much of it is the same.

 

[_shorty_]

as far as figuring out which is male and/or female: to my understanding, they change. So if you have a group, they are born (i've read both) all sexless or all male. Once 'of age', the most dominant of the group will become female. 2nd in line becomes male, (or steps up as the dominant male).

If the female is removed, #2 can step up to become female, and next in line will step up as the dominant male. Pretty crazy...

So there are no characteristics of determining male vs female at the pet store. If you pick the smallest out of three in a tank at the store, chances are it won't be female.

My only experience with this has been my current pair that have only just started spawning. I chose an orange and white snowflake, fairly good size, in a tank by herself at the LFS. Knowing that she could potentially already be a female, I picked out a black and white from another tank that was the smallest of a group of 5. Introduced them in the same tank at the same time. 2 YEARS later... they have eggs.

Hope that is helpful with getting started.

OH.. and will add, I don't think they can go backwards in development. I don't think female can become male. Which is why it's important to take care when selecting a pair, as if you get two females, chances are they won't pair, or get along at all.

 

[ernieq]

Your best bet is to get 2 young clowns under 1 year of age. One will eventually turn female, but it is a long wait. Usually 2 years for them to start spawning provided you have the right conditions as far as water quality and non-aggressive tankmates. Your other choice is to buy a mated pair. And the above is correct. All clowns are born male, and as they reach maturity at around 18 months or so, the biggest and most dominant will be become a female and she will choose a mate, which is usually the next most dominant clown. They will start to hang out together and chase all other from their spot.

 

[PhxRob]

Much appriciate information guys I did purchase 2 small young ones in the tank from my lfs. So it will tank some time before they get of age to mate. Should I leave them paired up in the tank or remove one in a seperate tank and add in another to the main tank or just let the time pass by. Or would anyone recommend purchasing another larger one to add to the tank? I will defenantly purchase that book and read up more info on it. Just want some experinced people with info.

 

[shifty51008]

I would just leave them both in the tank, they will figure out who will be male and who will be female in time. I bought both of mine small and finally after 4 years they started laying every 10 days, it really is great raising the lil guys.

 

[shifty51008]

And the above is correct. All clowns are born male, and as they reach maturity at around 18 months or so, the biggest and most dominant will be become a female and she will choose a mate, which is usually the next most dominant clown.

are you sure about that? I have always read that clowns are born sexless, the biggest most dominate will become female and the next will become male, all the rest stay sexless (juvi's) until either the male or female dies. if the female dies the male turns female and the next dominate juvi turns male.

 

[shifty51008]

from page 132 of clownfishes

"Nature allows clownfishs to select thir gender. Within a social setting, the most dominant clownfish will develop into a female, the next most dominant one becomes male, and any additional clownfish will remain sexually immature juveniles"

HTH

 

[_shorty_]

from page 132 of clownfishes

"Nature allows clownfishs to select thir gender. Within a social setting, the most dominant clownfish will develop into a female, the next most dominant one becomes male, and any additional clownfish will remain sexually immature juveniles"

HTH

That's what I always thought too... but recently read other posts/sources saying 'male' - not 'sexless' - which is why I was somewhat ambiguous with my post. But are they just sexually imature males?... or truly 'sexless' ? either way..

 

[SaltWaterAdam]

sexless....what a way to live.... geeesh.

 

[ernieq]

Yes, they are sexually immature males with no functioning gonads. All Clowns are protandric Hermaphrodites, meaning they are all males until they need to switch to females. In a typical setting there will be several juveniles that are males, but not sexually mature, even if they are of the same age as the sexually mature male. When necessary the next one up will get bigger and become sexually mature.

I've also seen it explained in other sources referring to juveniles as "sexually immature." But most of the reading I came upon mentioned Sexually immature males with non-functioning gonads. I do know that the change from sexually immature to a full functioning male, happens pretty quickly, whereas the male to female change can take some time based on species.