smaller of maroon pair missing, should i replace?

[DMK]

i posted this in reef discussions but thought i should here too:
i bought 2 small, 1.25", maroon clowns 2 weeks ago. 1 was about 1/4" larger. they both immediately began hosting RBTA. they were getting along fine, but after about 5 days the bigger 1, presumably the female, would not let smaller 1 in RBTA during day. they both still hosted in it at night. during past few days i noticed the smaller 1 acting lonely and really to himself, staying in pretty much same spot. he also had a couple nipped fins and wasn't eating as much. today he is MIA. he's definately gone, and i'm sure the critters took care of him. they have 4 more of these small ones at store. should i try again. the female was not attacking him, just bossing him around and occasionally nipping. i think he was stressed and just gave up on life

 

[Coraldynamics]

Hiya Dennis-

Sorry to hear about the little clown. At this point I would wait on adding another until the one you have gets bigger. Then add a much smaller one, and try the traditional pairing steps.

There are a few threads here about Maroon Pairing Log and such that chronicle the trials and tribulations of pairing maroons.

I hope this helps

 

[PacificBlueReef]

Clownfishes by Joyce D. Wilkerson says that a marron that is larger that 2 1/2 inches is usually large enough to intimidate one smaller than 1 1/4 inches. But you would still need to take some precautions. To be one the safe side i would go with at least a 3 inches to 1 inche.

 

[DMK]

so i guess i should wait. my "female" is about 1.5"-1.75". ones at LFS are about 1.25". i leave her alone in RBTA for now and let her become a big fat pig all by herself, and then throw in a tiny male she could wip into shape.

 

[BethanyM]

When I bought my two ocellaris the smaller of the pair fell ill immediately. There was a period of about 9 days that he swam under a rock and didn't come out for food or to sleep with his woman. We didnt even know he was still alive and kicking until about day 6.

I am not trying to give you false hopes, but more to tell you to just give it a few days to see if he pops back up.

 

[DMK]

he's done. 100% positive. he's in the bellies of the critters.