Pairing Clownfish
- Thread starter JHardman
- Start date
Skipper
Premium Member
Hey Anguila. How's about an article that does a quick review of those topics? Scoll way down in the article to the section on Captive Breeding.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-10/hcs3/index.htm
HTH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-10/hcs3/index.htm
HTH
JHardman
Premium Member
New information...
Today I got a new pair of SI black A. percula. They are in the QT tank right now. And I have seen something that up until today I thought was a maroon exclusive behavior...
The male when gently "nosed" by the female will turn and kiss the cheeks of the female, just like a maroon pair.
So I guess I need to add that in some pairs, but it is unusual, submissive males will kiss the cheeks of their females, just like maroons do.
Today I got a new pair of SI black A. percula. They are in the QT tank right now. And I have seen something that up until today I thought was a maroon exclusive behavior...
The male when gently "nosed" by the female will turn and kiss the cheeks of the female, just like a maroon pair.
So I guess I need to add that in some pairs, but it is unusual, submissive males will kiss the cheeks of their females, just like maroons do.
Rich the Newb
New member
Very good thread, very informative. I had no idea of the complexities of sex with clowns. I will now be able to make a more informed purchase when I buy my first pair.
Daily journal
Daily journal
Day one: complete success. Introduce new 3/4" to 1" juvie A. Frenatus in with the dominant female. From what I saw (and I could have missed something) the female iniciates the quivering movement, and after a rough hour or two they are now friends, and swim around together.
Day two: the female starts digging a big nest area taking out one whole side of my tank almost!
Day three: Nothing exceptionally exciting today. All adjustments have been made: temp. raised, the get fed three times a day til saturation, salinity level slightly raised, etc.
I hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question, but roughly how long til they start making babies?
Daily journal
Day one: complete success. Introduce new 3/4" to 1" juvie A. Frenatus in with the dominant female. From what I saw (and I could have missed something) the female iniciates the quivering movement, and after a rough hour or two they are now friends, and swim around together.
Day two: the female starts digging a big nest area taking out one whole side of my tank almost!
Day three: Nothing exceptionally exciting today. All adjustments have been made: temp. raised, the get fed three times a day til saturation, salinity level slightly raised, etc.
I hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question, but roughly how long til they start making babies?
kris4647
New member
John thats pretty incredible. I have seen a submissive behavior much like the "kiss" but never exactly how I observe with the Maroons .
I'm really fascinated by the different complex's behavior patterns. Some of the same trademark behaviors seem to show up in the TR clowns as well.
If you get a chance update me on the MCC's and your hybridization efforts, [I know you've got to be tinkering with something new] My Leuco [Mrs Marine Depot banner] has tolerated a Sandarcinos juve for the last two Months. I'm hopeful for them.
Take Care -----------Kris
I'm really fascinated by the different complex's behavior patterns. Some of the same trademark behaviors seem to show up in the TR clowns as well.
If you get a chance update me on the MCC's and your hybridization efforts, [I know you've got to be tinkering with something new] My Leuco [Mrs Marine Depot banner] has tolerated a Sandarcinos juve for the last two Months. I'm hopeful for them.
Take Care -----------Kris
algaefree
New member
About a week ago, I moved my anemone and maroon clown to a separate 10gallon tank that is plumbed to the rest of my system. The anemone was being a pest... Since I now had a separate home for my clown (3.5" - 4" long), I thought it was time to pair her with a buddy. I bought a 1.5" male (or what I perceived to be a male) to see if they would get along. For about an hour, the female kind of asserted her womanly authority, and every so often, the little guy would start to convulse like he was having a seizure or as though she ripped off his fins or something. I guess that means he was just indicating his submissiveness to her.
That first night, they were sleeping together in the anemone.... Now they're just the best of friends.
An interesting thing also happened. My maroons are yellow striped maroons. I wasn't sure my female was a yellow-striped at first because her stripes were so faint, they just looked white. Now, they are getting more orange/yellow. Has anyone ever noticed this before? Is it normal?
Is there any indication I should be looking for that they will begin spawning? And how long does it take (best case scenario) before a newly paired fish will start to lay eggs?
That first night, they were sleeping together in the anemone.... Now they're just the best of friends.
An interesting thing also happened. My maroons are yellow striped maroons. I wasn't sure my female was a yellow-striped at first because her stripes were so faint, they just looked white. Now, they are getting more orange/yellow. Has anyone ever noticed this before? Is it normal?
Is there any indication I should be looking for that they will begin spawning? And how long does it take (best case scenario) before a newly paired fish will start to lay eggs?
JHardman
Premium Member
algaefree said:
Congrats! Pairing maroons can be tough, glad it went smoothly for you.
I would not expect a spawn for a newly paired, pair for 12-24 months.
Classic pre-spawning behavior is for both fish, together to vigorously clean a nesting site near their sleeping place, by biting it. The cleaning can go on for quite a while before a nest is laid, especially a first nest.
Oh man, I now have to go through this process. It seems that the big female went carpet surfing. How on earth she fit through a 2 inch gap in the back of the tank I don't know. 
I have, sorry had 2 false perc's and I think they were just becoming mature. The one left is pretty beat up, should I wait until he become's the dominant female and introduce a smaller one or should I go out and get a new smaller one now even though he has already been fighting?
He is in the tank with two pajama cardinals and no host.
Tony
I have, sorry had 2 false perc's and I think they were just becoming mature. The one left is pretty beat up, should I wait until he become's the dominant female and introduce a smaller one or should I go out and get a new smaller one now even though he has already been fighting?
He is in the tank with two pajama cardinals and no host.
Tony
JHardman
Premium Member
ant276 said:Oh man, I now have to go through this process. It seems that the big female went carpet surfing. How on earth she fit through a 2 inch gap in the back of the tank I don't know.
I have, sorry had 2 false perc's and I think they were just becoming mature. The one left is pretty beat up, should I wait until he become's the dominant female and introduce a smaller one or should I go out and get a new smaller one now even though he has already been fighting?
He is in the tank with two pajama cardinals and no host.
Tony
At the very least give the current fish time to heal. You will have better results by growing out the current fish to >2" and then introducing an small sexless fish.
BTW, I have seen fully grown 3"+ A. ocellaris squeeze thru egg create when used to separate a tank. Make sure there are no gaps in your top, all clownfish can jump, some more than others.
jgoelz
New member
O.K. I am in the middle of introducing a potential mate for my 3 1/2 inch Gold striped maroon. I have a 1 inch teenie little maroon in a clear plastic isolation/ breeder box which I sunk to the bottom near the females hangout. I have noticed the female swim up to the box. The little one meets her at the plastic and begins "convulsing" I haven't seen any "agressive" behavior yet from the female. Is she just waiting for me to let him out of the box so she can attack him?
The little one has been in the tank for 4 days now. Do you guys think it is safe to let him out?
The little one has been in the tank for 4 days now. Do you guys think it is safe to let him out?
rza007
New member
JHardman- awesome threads.
heres my deal.
I have an A. Frenatus that has been with me for a long time now. I want to give it a mate. After reading your two great threads about clown fish, I decided to give the pairing a shot. I purchased a tomato that is visibly smaller than the clown I have. As soon as they laid eyes on each other, I saw many of the actions your explained in the thread. The smaller clown showed no aggression while the larger was defensive of its anemone.
Heres my deal-
I have a giant colony of LTAââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s on one side of my tank which houses the L tomato. On the opposite side of the tank lives a Rbta which the new smaller clown has taken to. Throughout the day, the larger clown will swim over to the Rbta and share the Rbta with the small clown, however, when the small clown swims over to the larger clowns Ltaââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s- the L clown shows aggression and is again defensive but does no harm. Also, at night they sleep on opposite sides of the tank.
Am I on the right track to a successful pair? I would really like my clown for 3 years to start spawning.
This has been going on since (11/16)
heres my deal.
I have an A. Frenatus that has been with me for a long time now. I want to give it a mate. After reading your two great threads about clown fish, I decided to give the pairing a shot. I purchased a tomato that is visibly smaller than the clown I have. As soon as they laid eyes on each other, I saw many of the actions your explained in the thread. The smaller clown showed no aggression while the larger was defensive of its anemone.
Heres my deal-
I have a giant colony of LTAââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s on one side of my tank which houses the L tomato. On the opposite side of the tank lives a Rbta which the new smaller clown has taken to. Throughout the day, the larger clown will swim over to the Rbta and share the Rbta with the small clown, however, when the small clown swims over to the larger clowns Ltaââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s- the L clown shows aggression and is again defensive but does no harm. Also, at night they sleep on opposite sides of the tank.
Am I on the right track to a successful pair? I would really like my clown for 3 years to start spawning.
This has been going on since (11/16)
