Could someone describe the loveshake?

[richarl5]

I was wondering what this shake was like (is it a violent shake or is it just a wiggle)?
Also, will a clown that is by itself do this?
(here's a pic of my black and white percula from SWF.com)

 

[hot883]

I do not know if a male will do by himself. He usually does it infront of his girl to show submission. It's like he stands on his tail and twitches for a few seconds.

 

[richarl5]

OK thanks.

Another question though:
if a percula is alone, will it change to female?

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by richarl5
OK thanks.

Another question though:
if a percula is alone, will it change to female?
Good question; I am not sure. If a smaller clown is added then the most aggressive/largest will change into a female.

 

[mscarpena]

If it is by itself it will turn into a female. That is why you should only add smaller fish. I would not worry about the shaking thing. After the fish shakes it seems fine and eats well and everything correct? Your fish is a juvinile beacuse of the coloring and is still a male. Your fish does the shaking thing to submit to larger more aggresive fish. I have never seen one do this alone or to another species of fish, but anything is possible.

 

[sac10918]

I think the love shake is characterized by the smaller male turning perpendicular to his mate (like on his side, with his head facing the female) and shaking violently. When I first saw it, I thought my fish had epilepsy.
I have never heard of a clown doing that when it is alone though.
Also, my understanding is that a sole clownfish will turn into a female and if you want to add a fish down the road, then you must get a very small juvenile male (preferable one that has been kept with many other juvenilles) so there is no chance it is female.

 

[xdave]

They will do it if sometimes if they see their reflection in the glass. It kinda looks like a shiver.