Two Juvenile Clowns

[adams]

Just wondering if the things below are normal. The Book I've read say that some of them are but doesn't cover them all. Plus, they have only been in the tank 2 nights.
Biting or nipping at tails
Shaking behaviour (I know this is normal but what is it establishing?)
Sleeping Apart (One Sleeps at surface and one near the sand)
Chasing each other
All OK signs?

 

[nvmywrx]

i see to be having the same problem but mine have been together longer.
i need a little advice i have my two clown fish and when i go to feed them my one male does not let the female eat and chases it away, and always seem to do that shaking on each other. it seems like he is always tormenting the other clown are they just playing or what should i do? The female hides in a cave and if it comes out the other one chases it.
here is a video of the clowns.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umnjj3uVdns

 

[lmecher]

Perfectly normal behavior. They are establishing dominance. The dominant one will take the female role, shaking is a sign of submisson. They will nip and chase as they sort this out.
nvmywrx, you may have them confused sounds like the one doing the chasing is the female, in clownfish she is in charge, kind of the bulldog in the relationship, he is the quivvering coward. When they spawn, she will be the watch dog attacking anything that comes too near, he is the nurse maid careing tirelessly for the eggs, very cute to see.
A good sign to look for is when they share a sleeping spot. At this point they are a pair. Enjoy them

 

[clownfishlove1]

look like there fighting

 

[nvmywrx]

well at this point the one that is getting bullied is hiding in this cave and wont come out only to eat. It seems to also be loosing its colors.

 

[lmecher]

Originally Posted by nvmywrx
http:///forum/post/3238200
well at this point the one that is getting bullied is hiding in this cave and wont come out only to eat. It seems to also be loosing its colors.
How long have you had them? The bullied one looks a tad larger. Did you buy them together? It is possible you have 2 females, it that is the case you will end up with one fish. Is the bullied one getting damaged? If it keeps up, you may want to consider removing one.

 

[chrisb430]

I was always told to get the smallest clown this way you wont get 2 females... No matter what clown i had i never had any luck with having more then 2 clowns in the same tank...

 

[lmecher]

Originally Posted by Chrisb430
http:///forum/post/3238520
I was always told to get the smallest clown this way you wont get 2 females... No matter what clown i had i never had any luck with having more then 2 clowns in the same tank...
That is because as they mature, they get territorial and will not tolerate other clowns except for a mate. The generalf rule is (unless your tank is extremely large) i pair per tank.

 

[chrisb430]

Originally Posted by Lmecher
http:///forum/post/3238572
That is because as they mature, they get territorial and will not tolerate other clowns except for a mate. The generalf rule is (unless your tank is extremely large) i pair per tank.
what about keeping them in odd numbers?? could you have 2 Ocellaris Clownfish and a black Ocellaris Clownfish?? LFS i go to says you can have as many as you want. Its the Maroons, Tomato, clarkiis you cant pair.( Friend had 2 clarkiis and they loved each other)the Ocellaris Clownfish, skunk, and saddlebacks you can???

 

[nvmywrx]

Originally Posted by Lmecher
http:///forum/post/3238375
How long have you had them? The bullied one looks a tad larger. Did you buy them together? It is possible you have 2 females, it that is the case you will end up with one fish. Is the bullied one getting damaged? If it keeps up, you may want to consider removing one.
I've had them for about a month. At first tht seemed fine. The bullied one is bigger. They were purchased together but not a breeder pair. The one that hides has no damage just the lose of color.
This is where the clown hides all day excet for feeding. http://img709.imageshack.us/i/imagebjr.jpg/

 

[lmecher]

Originally Posted by Chrisb430
http:///forum/post/3238758
what about keeping them in odd numbers?? could you have 2 Ocellaris Clownfish and a black Ocellaris Clownfish?? LFS i go to says you can have as many as you want. Its the Maroons, Tomato, clarkiis you cant pair.( Friend had 2 clarkiis and they loved each other)the Ocellaris Clownfish, skunk, and saddlebacks you can???
Your LFS in incorrect. They all can be paired. The more aggressive clowns are more difficult to pair but to tell you they can't be paired?? I would be very careful taking this persons advice. Keeping them in 3's is not a good idea, there would be 1 man out, this fish would be constantly pick on and may even be bullied to death. Maybe not right away but eventaully. It is ultimately up to you but I would consider adding other species, there are so many beautiful peaceful fish that would live in harmony with a pair of clowns.

 

[lmecher]

Originally Posted by nvmywrx
http:///forum/post/3238804
I've had them for about a month. At first tht seemed fine. The bullied one is bigger. They were purchased together but not a breeder pair. The one that hides has no damage just the lose of color.
This is where the clown hides all day excet for feeding. http://img709.imageshack.us/i/imagebjr.jpg/
The photo is sad, the poor little fellow. I am no expert this is just a guess but thinking the color loss could be stress related. It reminds me of when I tried to pair my female maroon just much less violent. The male acted similar. He hid all the time, just cowering. He would eat a little but she just kept going at him, he eventaully died. I would keep an eye on them. You have a very strange situation.

Maybe someone else has a suggestion.