My Observations/Theory

downhillbiker · 10/17/2008, 09:52 PM

I bought an unmated pair of occ. clowns about a year ago. They have always had a RBTA anemone, but never went in it. They had been near it, picked food out of it, and even sampled on very few occasions.

I noticed about a month ago that my clowns were starting to "flutter" and "squirm" in the corner of the fish tank, just in the sand bed. I posted a video link on RC, and most people said they couldn't see any mating behavior.

Here's the video:

I noticed about a week ago that the female is getting VERY fat, and she was nudging the glass with her mouth, I assume to clear a spot for eggs. She remains FAT all the time, even if I dont feed, and continues to nudge.

Tonight, I noticed (after over a year) the clowns were in the RBTA. They are both in it, and playing like crazy.

My theory is that they wanted a place to have babies. They probably want to lay their eggs close to the anemone, where the young can seek shelter. I am not going to try and raise them, but this is what I think the motivation is.

What do you think?

tydtran · 10/18/2008, 07:14 AM

Sounds pretty plausible to me.

Question: your anemone has been in the tank for a year, yet why is it still so small?

m2434 · 10/18/2008, 07:37 AM

Possibly, but I've witnessed all of my fish exhibit similar behavior many times. Typically it seems to happen when I shift rocks or stir up the sand bed. I think it is an irritation response to coarse particulate matter in the water column, but my observation could certainly be something different.

snorvich · 10/18/2008, 08:50 AM

Sounds like pre-mating behavior to me.

dukenukem · 10/18/2008, 09:02 AM

Sounds awesome! My clowns performed mating behavior for 3 years, and did not breed unfortunately. If nothing else, it's good to see they have bonded!

downhillbiker · 10/18/2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tydtran
Sounds pretty plausible to me.

Question: your anemone has been in the tank for a year, yet why is it still so small?

This anemone is 1/8 of the original anemone. I decided to start cutting it about 6 weeks ago. First cut in quarters, then let them grow, then halfed each one again about 2 weeks ago. It has some growing to do, but will be fine. Oh...the original was only about 6", which had grown from a very small natural baby, that was under nourished due to CF lighting.

10/17/2008, 09:52 PM	#1
downhillbiker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 2,831	My Observations/Theory I bought an unmated pair of occ. clowns about a year ago. They have always had a RBTA anemone, but never went in it. They had been near it, picked food out of it, and even sampled on very few occasions. I noticed about a month ago that my clowns were starting to "flutter" and "squirm" in the corner of the fish tank, just in the sand bed. I posted a video link on RC, and most people said they couldn't see any mating behavior. Here's the video: I noticed about a week ago that the female is getting VERY fat, and she was nudging the glass with her mouth, I assume to clear a spot for eggs. She remains FAT all the time, even if I dont feed, and continues to nudge. Tonight, I noticed (after over a year) the clowns were in the RBTA. They are both in it, and playing like crazy. My theory is that they wanted a place to have babies. They probably want to lay their eggs close to the anemone, where the young can seek shelter. I am not going to try and raise them, but this is what I think the motivation is. What do you think? __________________ The friendliest GIANT you'll ever meet. Current Tank Info: 200g Marineland Deep Dimension (Lumenmax Reflectors/Dual PFO 400w/Radium 20K) and 2xFrag Tanks (One TEK T5 fixture and one MH, Galaxy/Phoenix) on same system w/100g sump w/6"x100g DSB, AquaC EV-1000 Skimmer, Reeflo Barracuda return pump

10/18/2008, 07:37 AM	#3
m2434 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,171	Possibly, but I've witnessed all of my fish exhibit similar behavior many times. Typically it seems to happen when I shift rocks or stir up the sand bed. I think it is an irritation response to coarse particulate matter in the water column, but my observation could certainly be something different. __________________ Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there. ~Richard Feynman

10/18/2008, 08:50 AM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Sounds like pre-mating behavior to me. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

10/18/2008, 07:14 AM	#2
tydtran Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 853	Sounds pretty plausible to me. Question: your anemone has been in the tank for a year, yet why is it still so small?

10/18/2008, 09:02 AM	#5
dukenukem Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 26	Sounds awesome! My clowns performed mating behavior for 3 years, and did not breed unfortunately. If nothing else, it's good to see they have bonded!