Pairing problems with female percula

[saltire]

I have an established female percula in a 24G tank. She is about 5-6 years old and 3"+. Over the years I have been unable to get the female to pair up with another juvenile percula.

The first time I had to seperate them after about a year together. The second time a new juvenile lasted about 10 months. Everything looked great until one day the male jumped. Or more probably was pushed.

I've tried again with a 3rd juvenile and one week in its not looking so good. I'm sure the latest fish is a juvenile. The juvenile is being chased relentlessly but no physical damage has been inflicted yet. I have added a lid to be certain I don't have another jumper.

I'm looking for any tips to slow down the agression and successfully pair. Any ideas would be welcome.

 

[rjcranor]

I'm not sure but I put mine together about a week apart and they are doing well. Might need to start over

 

[Whip316]

Female might not be receptive to training a juvi to submit. Hehe
Is there a way you can purchase one that is already a true male? She will pair up easily this way.
Or if you want to do another juvi, don't get a tiny one. Get one closer to 1.5" or so. On that can handle a beating better. Just make sure it was never in a pair where it was the largest clown cause it could be almost a female and it would die quick.
But get the next juvi and put him in a breeder net or fish holder for a week or more. So she gets used to him. I seen someone use a plastic clear jar or container and drilled holes in it and placed it near where the female hosted all the time. Like a nem or coral or just her fav spot.
She will be able to see and smell him and not be able to attack. And you can feed him thru the holes. She will get used to him after a few days or so. Once she is ok with him you can release him. Just watch her being overly aggressive. If she is beating him pretty bad, put him back in for a few more days or week.
For the jar with holes. Check recent threads in the last week or so. I seen bonsai post a pic. Or you could PM him.

Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

 

[devildog999]

I don't know that this would work but might as well throw it out there. In the FW world, we can remove the aggressor for the tank for a week or two and then reintroduce the fish to the tank. Most times, the reintroduced fish will be much less aggressive having lost "control" over the territory. Might be worth a shot becuase now she is being introduced to the male as opposed to the other way around...

 

[chrispc66]

You could also try:

1: introduce a fish of similar size, just slightly smaller.
2: introduce a few juveniles, harem so to speak.

I like the idea posted above about removing her and adding back after you add the new one, following a period of time.

Good luck.

 

[D-Nak]

I agree with everyone's suggestions. Unlike other clowns, where there is a large size disparity between male and female, many perc and occ pairs I've seen don't have a big size difference. Ideally, if you see a pair in a store that's about the same size as your female, ask to purchase the male.

A couple more suggestions:

1. If you can, move around some rock work so the female is a bit disoriented.

2. Add a mirror near the tank so that the female is pre-occupied with her reflection.

 

[alexandernewell]

Every step listed above will definitely increase likelihood of success.

You have to keep heart though. Some times she just won't like a fish. You could reintroduce the same one time and again and she will remember. Eventually you will find a mate for her.

 

[saltire]

Thanks eveyone for your comments and feedback.

I'm two weeks in and have the juvenile in a breeders box that is angled so that the female can't enter. The good news is that the juvenile has found the BTA and can somewhat hold his own when he gets there.

I've also seen "shaking" from the female at times which I consider very promising. The poor guy has some nicks in his fins but I think I'm making progress.

 

[Whip316]

seems like everything is under control. keep us posted on the process. the twitching is very promising that the male is submitting to the female.

i have lost a few expensive males to a nasty female. just gotta keep trying and she will find the male she likes.