Clownfish question

[howze01]

Is there an age or size when a Clown makes "the switch"? My Picasso is about 2". If I add one about the same size is there still time for them to pair up? Thanks!

 

[redfishbluefish]

I’m pretty much an idiot and don’t know much about anything, but I have a matched pair that’s about four years old, and the male is less than one inch. I would therefore speculate that a two inch fish has already made the “mistake” of going female. Let’s see if that riles some feathers!

 

[howze01]

What kind are yours Paul?

 

[kevin]

I’m pretty much an idiot and don’t know much about anything

Sorry, but this actually made me laugh out loud

 

[redfishbluefish]

What kind are yours Paul?

It’s a mixed marriage of a black female (Black Percula) and misbared male ocellaris

A little fuzzy, but here they are:

 

[AJ1080]

I was looking into this as well and the most common answer was "its hit or miss." Hopefully someone here has actually done it.

 

[Hawkeye]

I'm not sure. When my male carpet surfed last year i picked up a small "juvi" from AqOb. The female did not kill it outright so I knew it hadn't "changed" yet. I would imagine if the newcomer was female and i released it, my female would have bitten it in half.

Of course I have established for certain that my resident is female. The risk is that yours is still "becoming" one and the new one added is also "becoming" one...then you have a brawl later.

The only way to be sure is to get a MUCH smaller clown. I'm not saying extreme like below, (as these clowns may be regarded as morsels), but basically the smallest one you can find at the LFS. ideally the smallest one in a batch in the tank, although truth be told i bought my male in a tank all by himself (as a species).

 

[howze01]

I was afraid of that Phil......

I'm going to have to bother some LFS' to get me some teeny clowns.

 

[Hawkeye]

or just wait for your current one to get older. Or roll the dice and try it. When you realize they are not pairing up - then time to get the fish trap. At least you enjoyed having two clowns. Lots of options. =)

 

[MadReefer]

I would suggest getting two smaller ones; it will help deviate aggression. Eventually the female and male will pair up. Once that is done you have to remove the outcast otherwise it will perish. I speak from experience.

Good luck.

 

[JRWOHLER]

I lost my male like Phil also part of a breeding pair(I wasn't dedicated enough to raise the fry). And I put in a juvi from Phil that at first was chased but once female dominance was established(like in all marriages) everything settled down. Don't think a big size difference is a problem in a non aggressive tank, just go as small as you can without the guy being eaten.

 

[SHLUZER]

. . . but once female dominance was established(like in all marriages) ... without the guy being eaten.

I second that.
(small submissive male).