Will My Surviving Clown Turn to Female?

[moneymm]

I have had my occellaris clown for 3 months, I got it from LFS, it was one of like 50 baby nano (about .75 inches") clowns.

he was paired up with a larger b&w phantom clown, who jumped onto screen yesterday and died. (it was awful)

they were a great pair, they bonded very nicely.

My question is will the remaining clown turn into female at this young age?

I know that it def would if it was old enough, however, i dont think it is. it is currently about 1.25", but I dont think its old enough to turn into female. I read that they cant turn into female until 24-48 months.

If my clown is female, i have no choice but to get a smaller male or nuetral clown. but i was thinking that if its not goign to be able to change sex until 24-48 months, that i still have plenty of time to introduce a larger clown and make that one the more dominant and eventually female clown.

I really wanted my orange clown to be the male smaller clown, and the b&w phantom be the larger female.

I have a 2.5" clown phantom lined up to buy.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

It could take significantly less than 24-48 months for your clown turn female. If it is over an inch right now the clown is probably around 8-12 months old.

 

[moneymm]

It could take significantly less than 24-48 months for your clown turn female. If it is over an inch right now the clown is probably around 8-12 months old.

So what do you think, only real option is to get a smaller fish?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

So what do you think, only real option is to get a smaller fish?

I'd say it's the safest option. If it's that small you could try adding a female.

 

[moneymm]

I don't even know where to get a phantom clown that small.

 

[moneymm]

anyone think its wise to get a larger clown, or does everyone agree i need to get a smaller one?

 

[snorvich]

As I indicated previously, the issue is that the surviving clown may have already begun the road to "femalehood" and if this is the case adding a clown that is for sure female means that the existing one will likely perish.

 

[moneymm]

As I indicated previously, the issue is that the surviving clown may have already begun the road to "femalehood" and if this is the case adding a clown that is for sure female means that the existing one will likely perish.

Ok thanks. Tiny male it is.

 

[snorvich]

Ok thanks. Tiny male it is.

Actually, tiny juvenile (no sexual differentiation yet)

 

[moneymm]

As I indicated previously, the issue is that the surviving clown may have already begun the road to "femalehood" and if this is the case adding a clown that is for sure female means that the existing one will likely perish.

I plan to get a juvenile clown and putting it in qt for 4 weeks.

Is it possible this will turn the new fish into a female?

Should I take my existing clown out of the DT and put it in QT with new one so that it doesn't turn female.

 

[cody6766]

If you QT it, add the (almost)female to the QT tank with the new fish, or just add it right away if you don't have much to lose in your DT. I've been one to toss a fish in a cross my fingers, but wouldn't do it if I had a really ich prone, or expensive fish.

When you get your clown, pick the smallest one in the bunch. This has always worked for me the few times I've had to do this. I find a store with a fairly robust group of clowns and pick out the smallest fish. I've done this 3 or 4 times over the years and never had a reject.