paring clownfish

[Sam1114]

Hello,
I have a 20 and 10 gallon tanks now. When I started 10 gal tank about 1and half years ago, I put the orange clownfish for the cycle. And about 6 months ago I started 20gal tank and a month later I put a new black clownfish and original clownfish together same time at 20gal tank. The original clownfish is about 2" and new one is 1.5". Because orange one is very aggressive so I was very worry at that time. However, they seems fine. When original tried to attack black one, the black shake his body. After shaking his body the original one did not attacking him. So, I thought they were fine. However, these days, the black clownfish's fin was ripped. And I saw the black clown tried against original one. I put 2 caves for both clownfish but the original clown used it both. The black one slept outside of cave. I saw black one want to take one of cave but orange one did not allow. I know they are not mate yet but is that still possible to pairing them? I don't think they are both females but I want to make sure. Please give me any advice.
Thank you

 

[worm5406]

Well it is possible they are both female now. What was the size difference between them both?

Shaking is submissive gesture, but not always done only from a male. If they were both male, then fighting is normal, as one wants to be the female.

Any pictures of them side by side?

I dont think the cave is really going to help, IMO.

 

[Sam1114]

Orang looks 2" and black looks 1.5. No idea if there are two female... Black one looks want to challenge to Orange one.

 

[Sam1114]

It is hard to take the picture when they are together but let me know if you need other pictures. Thanks

 

[worm5406]

It is possible the black one could have been switching to a female too. Have to just keep an eye on them and be ready to separate as needed.

Both look good. Any videos of how they act together?

 

[Sam1114]

https://youtu.be/vgJHfBCgffs

My new tank just cycled so I couldn't put the anemone yet. When I check the tank, they both swimming together and looks okay. Orange one attack the other one when food time and if black one try to enter the cave. Please check the video. At the video black one shacking body but sometimes did not. I couldn't see but that is why I think black clown's fin was ripped. However, black clown never attack the orange clown. If still they are females should I just one of them?

Thank you for your advice.

 

[Sam1114]

I mean just keep one of them? They are not deadly fight so I am not sure.

 

[OurCoralReef]

They are fine
When they are aggressive towards another they will not stop fight
In your case it sounds like its a dominance thing clown fish have a weird way of showing dominance
The pairing of a black and orange is harder than when your pairing two of the same morph it just needs more time if you see it getting very bad (like the orange won't leave the black alone and the black hiding or staying in one place all the time) then the pairing wont work

 

[worm5406]

Agree. I have seen fighting between two where they run from opposite sides of the tank and literally peck and trash around.

The behavior displayed is dominance, not fight to the death.

 

[Sam1114]

Okay. Sound like orange is greedy but not harm. However, one more question, the anemone will help them to reduce aggressive or stress?

Thank you so much the advice!!