Ocellaris Pair Fighting

[nrapp33]

I have had a pair of Tank Bread Ocellaris Clowns that I have had for 6 months. They where in a tank full of ocellaris. One has grown larger than the other. Now the larger has began attacking the smaller (male). He is submissive but still getting a beat down. He has almost lost one of his pectoral fins. I tried catching her but couldn't get her without removing all the rock work. I did get him and pulled him out. He is in a qt tank. I got him out a couple days ago and he is fine.

Questions are this:
-why was she beating him up?
-can I put him back in?
-what should I do?

Thanks

 

[Faye]

It's gonna happen, ypu may as well put the male back in. When they are an established pair she should calm down. She might attack once in a while once established, but it should be less.

She is declaring role as the female, the more dominant sex, that is why she is doing it. Eventually she will want to spawn so she will pair up with him (assuming she doesn't kill him).

There is really nothing you can do to stop her from doing it, it's normal.

 

[Toddrtrex]

There is a chance that she will never accept him -- had that happen with a pair of B&W Os, the male ended up jumping.

 

[nrapp33]

I put him back in and she is aggressive still but not to the point she was before. I am keeping a close eye on them.
Thanks all for the advice!

 

[nino4u]

Hopefully they get back together, if not she may end up killing him... Good luck...