crazy clowns

[hlp]

We have two percula clowns in our 75. They have been with us for about 4 months and always got along just fine. Now for the past several days, one has been chasing the other. Any suggestions as to why they may have changed their behavior towards one another?
Thank you for your help!

 

[viper_930]

The male twitches? I have had mine alone for about a week now and it twitches too, but it is the only one in the tank so I thought it would be a female.

 

[hlp]

They look about the same size. I will keep watching. There is some definite twitching going on. How long does this last? Will the female harm the male?

 

[viper_930]

How often would a male twitch? Mine still does it once in like every 30 seconds. Does that seem about right? I want to get another clown to pair them up but I am not sure if I should get smaller or bigger clownfish. If he is still a male right now I can get a bigger one and wait less time before they become breeding age. Or if I get a smaller clown just to make sure then I would have to wait longer for them to get to breeding age.

 

[hlp]

We will watch and make sure she doesn't draw blood. Right now, I am afraid it may lead to that. I guess if it continues we will have to put one in the QT. I can't imagine them doing that for a year. Thank you for your help.

 

[737mech]

Originally posted by ViPeR_930
How often would a male twitch? Mine still does it once in like every 30 seconds. Does that seem about right? I want to get another clown to pair them up but I am not sure if I should get smaller or bigger clownfish. If he is still a male right now I can get a bigger one and wait less time before they become breeding age. Or if I get a smaller clown just to make sure then I would have to wait longer for them to get to breeding age.
If your clown is without another clown, it will become female. I don't know who your's is twitching for??? This twitching behavior is seen with 2. He is showing the other clownfish (female) that he is being submissive to her. She will test this out from time to time, just to make sure all is well. I can't recommend enough the book "Clownfishes" by Joyce Wilkerson. Maybe the mods could pin the book recommendation at the top of this forum.

 

[hlp]

Our male strted getting pretty stressed. Put him in the QT. He is missing most of his tail and his top fin. Should we let him recover and try to re-introduce him?

 

[737mech]

Originally posted by HLP
Our male strted getting pretty stressed. Put him in the QT. He is missing most of his tail and his top fin. Should we let him recover and try to re-introduce him?
Oouch! I would NOT think about putting him back with her again. He will actually become a she since there is no female present. So they definately should be kept separate from now on since they would fight to the end.
I had to separate mine, but he was not injured that bad. Maybe someone can recommend something to be put in the water to help with his fin damage and possible infection.
HTH
(Bump)