Pairing Ocellaris?

[kevin21]

What are the chances 2 ocellaris clowns in a 28g tank will never pair up? Basically ive had these clowns for 7 months in this tank and they still dont like eachother. I know that sounds like a juvenile response but it is kind of the easiest way to explain it. They are always on separate sides of the tank away from eachother and when it comes to feeding time, the larger or the two will go and nip at the smaller. I have seen the shaking dance they do a bunch of times on separate occasions hoping this meant they were going to pair up, but i see no progress. Just wondering what you experts think. Will they ever pair up?

Thanks

Kevin

 

[elegance coral]

I doubt very seriously if they'll ever pair up. You may have two females. Some fish are just very picky. I have a clarkii that I've tried to pair up about five or six times. She just doesn't want a mate I guess???? She's been living alone for about the past five years because of this. If you want a pair, I'd suggest getting rid of one of them, and purchasing a much smaller one to pair with the one you keep.

 

[kevin21]

Thanks. I was afraid of that. I just cant see myself getting rid of one of them for another.

 

[elegance coral]

You may not have to make a choice between the two. As they mature, the more dominant one may become more aggressive. All it takes is one good fight, and the smaller one could die. I really would think about trading one of them while you know you can.

 

[kevin21]

I agree with you their, i actually just said it the other day during a feeding that im going to have to get rid of the agressive one if it gets worse. Thanks for the info!

Something interesting, any time i put my hand in the tank the more agressive larger clown always always always attacks my hand basically none stop while im in there. Ever have that happen to ya?

 

[Reefing Newbie]

If you want a pair maybe you could trade both of them in and get two clownfish who are paired. I did this with my true percs, still juvies, but I have a female and male. The male is still reminded of his place with her. I like them a lot, but really want a B&W Ocellaris pair more and more after looking at them so I am going to be trading my true percs in soon

 

[elegance coral]

I agree with you their, i actually just said it the other day during a feeding that im going to have to get rid of the agressive one if it gets worse. Thanks for the info!

Something interesting, any time i put my hand in the tank the more agressive larger clown always always always attacks my hand basically none stop while im in there. Ever have that happen to ya?

Ya, that's very common. Back in the day, that happened to me all the time. I started training my clowns to eat out of my hand, and they stopped biting. I now have 7 clowns, and none of them bite.

 

[kevin21]

Cool. Well i guess well see how things go.

 

[vwwanksta69]

How did you purchase them? Did they live in the same tank with each other and put into your tank on the same day?

 

[kevin21]

I purchased them on the same day, however i picked them out of different tanks right next to eachother. Guess i should of noted the larger clown is a misbar. Anyway, they were in the same bag the whole car ride home and then added to the tank together