Pairing injured clownfish

[hobbzz]

I have a pink skunk clownfish that was injured by another pink skunk about a year ago. Is like to get another larger one and pair them up, but this one has no tail fin. The wounds have long since healed over, but it hasn't grown in size. The other skunk was twice the size until she decided to take a trip down the overflow. I'm worried that if I add another, it will notice the deformity and attack. Any possibility of that, or am I safe? Tank is 80g, 48" x 24" x 16"

 

[seamonkey84]

It depends on how long ago he became single. Depending on age, some males can become female in 3-4 weeks. Otherwise it may be easier to get a smaller one and let him become he female after pairing with a newer and smaller fish.

 

[hobbzz]

The two never paired up. The female hosted an rbta, and the male hosted a torch about a foot away. The male would approach every once in a while and do the submisive dance. She would tolerate him for a minute or two then chase him back to his torch. There was never any fighting after the initial damage around three days after they were introduced. He is currently about .5-.75", so it would be pretty hard to find a smaller one.

 

[hobbzz]

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[hobbzz]

I'm going to bump this up again. The skunk is hosting a bta and about 1.5 inches. So what about getting a smaller one? Likelihood of aggression towards the deformed one?

 

[davocean]

Borderline if still male, you can try a larger in a specimen container and check reactions, but smaller is most likely safer.
I'm not sure if the deformity will affect a females acceptance.

 

[Mynx]

Go with a small one. Nothing else. My Saddleback is blind in one eye, and very sensitive. She took to the small little Occy we got her like a champ, no damage to the little guy, and they swim and dance together well. If we had gotten a bigger one, she'd have been dead. Besides, if they're alone for long periods, they will turn female to protect their turf, so best to get a very small one, and introduce using a breeder box for a few days, good experience with it for me.

 

[Mynx]

I say nothing else, to protect your injured one. The smaller male will bow down to her much quicker than she will to anything else, and because she's injured she may not want to batter him around as much, my girl didn't, she was happy to only nip him once, and the rest take her jabs at him with no connection.

 

[hobbzz]

Thanks guys. I've got some scrap acrylic I can make a box out of. Hopefully one of the lfs in town can get some small ones.

 

[Mynx]

You're very welcome. Glad I had some experience to pass on!

 

[davocean]

You can get a cheapo floating container at petco for like $5 if you don't want to make one, either way.

 

[hobbzz]

That's sounds much better. Much cheaper than i would have expected too. In the fish section I assume?

 

[davocean]

Yes, look for something like this, and this is pretty much the reaction you want, calmly and curiously just observing, not lashing at it and trying to kill it.

 

[hobbzz]

Awesome. Do you personally just let it float around on its own or do you anchor it in place somewhere?

In the case of clowns, when would you know when it's time to let the fish out into the display?

Thanks again guys.

 

[davocean]

I keep it pinned near where the other clown is being hosted.
I give it at least a day and watch reactions, you can usually tell.
Observe a day, two, then make your call.

 

[hobbzz]

Thanks Dave. That breeder box will save me a lot of time.

 

[SwampyBill]

I agree w/ others on getting as small a juvie as you can find, & using a little cheapo breeder box from Petco or Petsmart. Good luck on forming a new pair!

 

[Mynx]

I used suction cups to keep my breeder box right above my girls Sebae.

Tidbit with experience; Find a small plastic piece to put over the top (Not to completely cover it but enough.) My little guy jumped out of the breeder box and into the main tank a few days early... Everything was okay, but it could have been pretty bad if it was too early.

 

[hobbzz]

I've already got eggcrate with 1/4" brs screen zip tied to it. Should work great.

 

[hobbzz]

Ok so I've had him in the display, in the acclimation box since last night and they are completely ignoring each other. They're about a foot apart. I don't know if that means it's ok to release him or if they haven't seen each other yet. I wouldn't think I should let him out yet. I put him in after lights out last night, and haven't seen any interaction between them at all. Any ideas?