Overly Aggressive?

[Mabyboi]

Hey guys,

I have a pair of clownfish in a 24G cube. One is a Black Ice (Female) and the other is a Picasso (Male). They've been in the tank together for a few months now and from day one were awesome together, never leaving each others sides.

Recently, the female has taken to dominating the carpet anemone I have, and the male is staying in a Bubble Tip. Now here's where the problem comes in...

Whenever he leaves the bubble tip, she chases him back in, never hurting or hitting him, never even touches him.. just chases him back in. He shakes to submit, but here's the kicker... SHE THEN SHAKES TO SUBMIT.

Now shes been doing this for a week or two now, and has been eating about 95% of the food that goes into the tank, and more recently hes been hiding behind his bubble tip in a little rock opening.

Now hes never been hurt, still gets food and is still healthy.. But should I be worried with how aggressive she is? Should I be giving her a time out?

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[mr9iron]

No, I think what you are seeing is normal behavior. While clownfish are pairing you will often see the female "shake" as well. This is her showing the male what to do. If he doesn't have any ripped fins or other damage I would say everything will be fine.

 

[WeBrokr]

Sounds normal. If it continues for a few more weeks I would start to worry but just let it play out for now.

 

[Mabyboi]

I'm not too worried because he hasn't been hurt yet, she hasn't even touched him. She just eats all the food and chases him

 

[mr9iron]

Could you post a picture of your pair so I can see them?

 

[kingevil]

He shakes to submit, but here's the kicker... SHE THEN SHAKES TO SUBMIT.

shaking in clowns is still up for debate. some think it's about submitting, others believe it's just weird clown behavior. and some say it has to do with possible spawning.

 

[Mabyboi]

Could you post a picture of your pair so I can see them?

Kinda hard to get a non moving picture of them...

 

[Mabyboi]

Hey guys, she's still being super aggressive, keeping him to a small corner... What can I do?

 

[nicodim55]

Hey guys, she's still being super aggressive, keeping him to a small corner... What can I do?

Just leave them alone they'll be fine

 

[Whip316]

he has to learn to quiver and submit. when the female is doing the shaking she is telling the male to copy her and do what she does. i think of a female clown like a drill instructor in the military. they break you down and then shape you up to be the person they need you to be. same with a female. she has to break him.
if she isnt tearing any fins or biting him then he should be ok. when she starts really hurting him then put him in a breeder net for a few days.

 

[Mabyboi]

he has to learn to quiver and submit. when the female is doing the shaking she is telling the male to copy her and do what she does. i think of a female clown like a drill instructor in the military. they break you down and then shape you up to be the person they need you to be. same with a female. she has to break him.
if she isnt tearing any fins or biting him then he should be ok. when she starts really hurting him then put him in a breeder net for a few days.

Okay that makes me feel a lot better!