What are these clowns doing

[Susie Q360]

I went to the lfs today to get another clown. I've got a new breedery too, with a lid. I put the new clown in it for a few hours and then released it into the main tank(18 gal Isolation tank),because the bigger clown was paying no attention to it. Well they started swimming on their sides and shivering at each other. They almost looked like they were schooling and even swimming in and out of the rocks that the bigger clown has been sleeping in. This went on for about 30 min then the bigger clown hit the smaller one. I recaught the smaller on and put it back in the breedery.
What did we do wrong? Any suggestions will be welcomed.

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

What kind of anemone fish are you talking about?

 

[Reef Ruler]

Thats normal

 

[a4twenty]

from her original post i would day they are false percs.

the larger fish is showing her dominance over the smaller clown, this is normal. it sounds like the smaller clown is acting submissive, also normal.

what is the size of the two clowns?? ( post a pic )

was the new clown the biggest in the LFS's tank?


for best results when trying to pair up with an existing clown you need to look for the smallest healthy juvenile at the LFS.

 

[Susie Q360]

They were sold to me as a. percula clowns. I’ll post a picture of the new one. They both have 10 spines, counting from the start of the front dorsal fin to the start of the back dorsal fin. Am I counting in the right place? The new clown was the smallest in the tank and their were 2 bigger in with it. I kept the new clown in a breedery all night and day, kept the lights off. We removed both fish and rearranged the tank. They seem to be doing fine now, no fighting , just swimming around together and shivering. Thanks for the help.

Old Clown Size 1 1/2 in L x 1 in H

New Clown Size 1 in L x 3/4 in H

 

[Slakker]

The fighting is just fine. As long as the new fish isn't getting SERIOUSLY injured, nothing to worry about. My two have been together for over a year now and my female still gives the male a little headbutt now and then.