fighting clowns- at what point to return?

Moonstream · 02/05/2011, 04:23 PM

the title says it all. my newly added pair of SA percula clowns have spent the last few hours swimming close together, shaking at eachother, and sometimes grabbing on to one another's cheeks. so far, no fins have been ripped, or blood drawn.

they're both about 2" long, I tried to get the smallest clowns they had, but all were fairly large.

they might just be establishing dominace, but at what point should I give up on peace and return them?

snorvich · 02/05/2011, 04:41 PM

You may have inadvertently acquired two females. The behavior you are seeing is an attempt to establish dominance. Any "dancing" in submission?

Moonstream · 02/05/2011, 04:50 PM

thei has been submissive 'twitching', from both sides. their seems to be less jaw-locking going on, and more submissive dancing, so... here's to hoping.

snorvich · 02/05/2011, 06:28 PM

The submissive twitching (what I humorously deemed dancing) is a good sign.

Moonstream · 02/05/2011, 06:43 PM

I call it a dance most of the time too lol- it does look like they're dancing, I think.

anyways, things have calmed down significantly. no jaw-locking for at least an hour and a half, no more beating eachother with their tails. they still havnt gone more than 4" from eachother, but I think thats more because of my b*tchy sixline wrasse, who is making it her pasttime to dive-bomb them when they get too far apart.

hardin4019 · 02/05/2011, 06:48 PM

If they were a pair before, then I would assume they are fine. My question is do you know what the clown worm wiggle looks like when they are mating? Look on youtube and see if your dancing clowns appear to be behaving similarly. You should also consider posting in the clown & anemone section.

Moonstream · 02/05/2011, 08:50 PM

yeah, I know what it looks like. they weren't a pair at the LFS- they rarely/never sell proven pairs there. the two have calmed down significantly, I'll keep an eye on them over the next week. if by friday they are still showing signs of aggression, or if they get any worse or start to get tattered, I'll pull them.

02/05/2011, 04:23 PM	#1
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	fighting clowns- at what point to return? the title says it all. my newly added pair of SA percula clowns have spent the last few hours swimming close together, shaking at eachother, and sometimes grabbing on to one another's cheeks. so far, no fins have been ripped, or blood drawn. they're both about 2" long, I tried to get the smallest clowns they had, but all were fairly large. they might just be establishing dominace, but at what point should I give up on peace and return them?

02/05/2011, 04:41 PM	#2
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	You may have inadvertently acquired two females. The behavior you are seeing is an attempt to establish dominance. Any "dancing" in submission? __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

02/05/2011, 06:28 PM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	The submissive twitching (what I humorously deemed dancing) is a good sign. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

02/05/2011, 06:48 PM	#6
hardin4019 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Mt Jewett, PA Posts: 228	If they were a pair before, then I would assume they are fine. My question is do you know what the clown worm wiggle looks like when they are mating? Look on youtube and see if your dancing clowns appear to be behaving similarly. You should also consider posting in the clown & anemone section. __________________ -Shawn If I can DIY cheaper than buying it and get the same results... DIY it is. Current Tank Info: Tankless for more than a year and ready to get the next one!

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02/05/2011, 04:50 PM	#3
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	thei has been submissive 'twitching', from both sides. their seems to be less jaw-locking going on, and more submissive dancing, so... here's to hoping.

02/05/2011, 06:43 PM	#5
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	I call it a dance most of the time too lol- it does look like they're dancing, I think. anyways, things have calmed down significantly. no jaw-locking for at least an hour and a half, no more beating eachother with their tails. they still havnt gone more than 4" from eachother, but I think thats more because of my b*tchy sixline wrasse, who is making it her pasttime to dive-bomb them when they get too far apart.

02/05/2011, 08:50 PM	#7
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	yeah, I know what it looks like. they weren't a pair at the LFS- they rarely/never sell proven pairs there. the two have calmed down significantly, I'll keep an eye on them over the next week. if by friday they are still showing signs of aggression, or if they get any worse or start to get tattered, I'll pull them.