Tomato clown exclusion from anemone?

[a.stebel]

Hello everyone. Just need a little advice on a couple of tomato clowns I have added to the tank and their behavior.

Added 2 tomato clowns just before dark. Tank is 500 gallons, clowns are 1.25" and 1" in size. Both hovered very close to each other at the bottom of the tank, when added. In the morning, the larger one was in an anemone and the smaller one was lurking below. For 2 days now, the smaller one only lurks below and the larger one seems to keep guard and not allow entry.

Will this ever change, or is the small guy destined to lurk forever? The picture shows where the little guy is always hovering. Red circle.

Thank you for any advice.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

That's normal. They'll work it out between themselves. You'll see some fighting and chasing mostly by the bigger clown. If the smaller one behaves by submitting (which he should) they will form a pair. Guarding of the anemone by the larger clown is also normal. Eventually the small clown will get to live in the anemone.

 

[a.stebel]

Thank you for the response. I will not be worried for the little guy now.