Occ clownfish pairing question.

[Silkyslim]

I purchased 2 tank raised occ clowns roughly a year ago. Then they were the same size at 2-2.5 inches. Now they are both about 3.5 inches. A rbta hosts one clown (that I assume is turning female) the other hangs around it but isn't allowed in it by the other clown. the assumed clown shivers at times when near the other clown. The other clown however doesn't seem interested at all. Also the other clowns usually resides in my hammer coral that is next to the rbta.

My questions is do I have two females? I'm starting to think so because of their size. I'll post picks when I get home tonight.

 

[mr9iron]

I'm not sure you have two females as they would most likely fight to the death. However, if your aquarium is big enough I suppose it is possible for them to establish their own territories and leave each other alone.

 

[Silkyslim]

that was my thinking as they stay close together in my 75 gallon. I just find it odd only one is showing pairing signs.

 

[Silkyslim]

As promised here's a pic one is slimmer in the body

 

[Tmoriarty]

I do not know if a female would "submit" like a male will. There is a better chance that the female is just not to concerned with the male at this point.

When I added my new magnifica and the female started associating, she got quite mean to my male, even after he would submit often. Since then she has gotten more timid towards him and he is allowed in the nem with her. I would think if you have had them for a year and they were together before you got them, they did not both transition to female.

 

[Whip316]

i had a female snowflake that would twitch all the time and many of my other femals will twitch with new males to show them what they want them to do. my female snow also just gave up on her mate and wouldnt associate with him at all. she ignored him and i swapped him out for another male.