Help! Clownfish Experts!!!!!

[microman2k]

HELP!! i just came home and the new tomato clownfish is all by its self in the corner of the tank and it wont move with its fins frazzled! the only other fish in there is another tomato. what do i do?
i am not sure at all if the new one is female or male, the fish was in a tank by itself at the LFS. its a little smaller than the one i have in there now. not much but it is. its brighter more vibrant orange too. what can i do? i spent $30 on this fish and i am not gonna lose it!

 

[viper_930]

The new one is a female, because it was by itself. They cannot change back to a male. You shoule remove her and get a smaller one from a community tank.

 

[overanalyzer]

not 100% sure of your new one being female but I will 100% guarantee your newest one is the loser in a fight! It is possible the loser could be amorphous right now - but if it was by itself for a period of time it started becoming female.
Personally I would ask your LFS to get you a mated pair of tomato clowns and trade yours in .... trust me - I have Salt a killer female tank raised osc. clown - she attacks and harasses anything that goes in the tank with her that is orange and striped. She will never pair up in my estimation. Thus she has been banished from the community tank to a nano (during our move) and eventually she will be in a 20 gallon tank or traded in on a mated pair ....

 

[microman2k]

here is a pic of the *happy* couple if it helps any. newer, smaller, brighter fish on top and older, bigger, lighter fish on bottom

 

[microman2k]

new on left, old on right. the only thing i don't understand is that the old fish will not stay in its anemone anymore, its always by the new fish but its never attacking it, it will not leave it by more than a foot. every now and then he will check on his anemone but strait back to that area of the new fish. he is not being aggressive tho. is the new fish MABEY trying to change --- to a male?

 

[texasranchers]

If you have a water pitcher, large drinking glass, a zip lock bag, an old fish bag from LFS(when you brought your fish home), a large glass bowl, you have a QT. Put tank water in it, air line tubbing, a cover, go to store and buy a small inexpensive tank. You should have had one ready before you brought your first fish home.
By your description, they have already been setting the ground rules. I would not leave them together any longer. Of course I don't like dog fights either. It is the same principal just in a smaller world and I think it's cruel.

 

[viper_930]

is the new fish MABEY trying to change --- to a male?
They cannot change to a male. Once a female, always a female.