question about clownfish

[sillysidewinder]

I have two clownfish, one of them is a black ocellaris and the other an orange ocellaris clownfish. I have a few questions I was hoping to get answered... I understand that a female clownfish is typically larger than the male, however from what I've read the only way to know is while they're mating, is this true? Also, how can you tell the difference between when they are mating or when the larger fish is simply bullying the smaller. I know that they are typically non aggresive fish, however the larger black ocellaris seems to be nipping at the smaller one, but they never seem to stray too far from each other... Can anyone help me out? Also, looking to find out what the best salt to get for my tank is. I have a 20 gallon tank with a few hammers, some ricordea, mushrooms... Thanks for the Help! rangehat

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Actually clowns are aggressive fish- they are in the damsel family- its the reason why you cant have too many in a tank- theyll kill each other. The female will always be larger- theyre all born males then the most developed will morph into a female and grow bigger than the male. Theyll nip at each other if even a mated pair- I guess theyre like us and have lovers quarrels from time to time- my mated pair of true percs the female nips the male at times but is fine 99% of the time, but even when she nips at him they never leave each other for more than an 8-12 inch distance and he comes right back to her- f he doesnt she goes lookin for him. They also defend their territory(their anemone) from the other fish in the tank. If they feel others are to close they will try to make them go away.


Certain clowns such as tomatos and maroon clowns can be MUCH more agressive than ocellaris. But even the ocellaris will be agressive. Best of luck with them- the fighting if not a mated pair when purchased is probably the struggle to prove dominance and establish the pecking order. If its not brutal theyll probably be ok. If brutal all the time Id worry other than that let em fight it out and theyll settle it between them. It seems to me though from your description theyre already on their way to being a pair since you say they dont really leave each other. Theyll be fine and will settle it on their own. Enjoy them theyre awesome fish.

On the salt issue I like ESV Ive been usin it for just shy of a year now and like it, but Instant Ocean Reef Crystals is good also a lot of good salts out there.

 

[noobzy]

What Jimmy said. I wouldn't worry about the larger one picking on the smaller one unless it comes to actual physical injury. My smaller male ocellaris is constantly picked on by my female ocellaris.

 

[Imbarrie]

My percs were the same size from the same tank and nothing happened for over a year. Then one really bulked up and they started laying eggs and have been ever since.
I have read the best way to get a mated pair is to get them like this. That way they can work it out between each other, it takes some time. If they started out the same size they may already be on their way.
If they came from separate tanks and the smaller one had already turned female before you bought it, then you may have trouble.
I have also read they have trouble reversing sexes.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Yeah when I purchased mine they were mated- the female was already bigger than the male and they freaked even while I was acclimating them unless their bags were right next to each other- theyd stay where they saw each other and were relaxed pretty much until I was putting them in the tank, when the bags got seperated they both got real ancy and swam around their bags bag like a couple of nuts- the male went first and he swam to the bottom corner of the tank- then the female went in and when they saw each other they darted to be together again- was kinda cute<--cant believe i said my fish were cute. lol