silly question

[Snowgrrl83]

I feel dumb asking this question... but I couldn't find the answer anywhere.

Do all clownfish pairs become mated pairs?

I have a pair of occillaris clowns that I bought from a local hobbyist. He said they were approx. 1 year old. They are clearly a pair, the bigger one being female and the smaller being a male. I've never seen them lay eggs.

Approximately what age do they reach sexual maturity? Do all females paired with a male eventually lay eggs? Do they need a host to lay eggs? Whats the deal? I haven't seen mine lay anything yet.

 

[Ali :D]

I wouldn't go as far to say all will become a mated pair, I think many will but not all. Your clowns won't mate unless they want to. The conditions have to be right for them to mate and lay. I find that having a host will help and haven't really had them (or tried to) have them lay without.

The trick is to have it like they would in the wild and then let nature do its work so i think an anemone would most defiantly help.

I know little on the subject so wait until someone else comes along to help out.

 

[davocean]

What you have right now is most likely what we call a bonded pair.
They may spawn in time, and that can totally vary on time frame, and that determines mated pair.
I've seen so many do this w/out a nem at all.
I believe some have stated a higher protein diet may aid to this.
No such thing as a silly Q here IMO

 

[Ali :D]

Thanks davocean, that is being added to my knowledge!

 

[5h3rW1N]

yo davocean i like your avatar pics. what you call them

 

[Snowgrrl83]

Good to know. I've only had the fish for a little over a month. I was feeding them some pellet food but I bought some frozen mysis shrimp yesterday. I hope to vary their diet a bit. They are in there with a YWG and pistol combo. I love my first tank. I heard that anemones are hard to keep since they move a lot and I just have a 20 gallon tank. Instead, I think I`m going to get a hammer coral and frag it when it gets too big.

 

[davocean]

yo davocean i like your avatar pics. what you call them

Thanks, those are my pride and joy picasso/snowcasso pair from Donisreef.com

 

[davocean]

Oh, and that looks like a Clarki and occy pair in your avatar, I'd be a lil nervous on that combo, keep an eye out.

 

[davocean]

Good to know. I've only had the fish for a little over a month. I was feeding them some pellet food but I bought some frozen mysis shrimp yesterday. I hope to vary their diet a bit. They are in there with a YWG and pistol combo. I love my first tank. I heard that anemones are hard to keep since they move a lot and I just have a 20 gallon tank. Instead, I think I`m going to get a hammer coral and frag it when it gets too big.

That's a good plan, lots of cool alternatives to nems, and a much better choice in small tanks IMO.
Leaves more room for corals.
A month is a short time, I'm sure a year or so, maybe sooner depending on age, you'll be seeing signs of possible mating.