Does the bigger clown always become the female?

Mr.Shrimps · 12/05/2016, 08:30 PM

I have introduced a new clown into my tank. He just a tad bit smaller than the one I already had. The one I already has is doing to shaking/submissive motion to the smaller new clown. Is there a chance the smaller one will become the female?

davocean · 12/05/2016, 10:04 PM

The more dominant will take the female role and that is usually if not always the bigger as it's easier to dominate, but I could not swear the smaller will always be submissive, and the actual age could make a difference as well if they are both still very young.
My guess is the female/existing is just trying to cooperate and help things happen, and the smaller will most likely start doing the submissive twitch, but if in the rare case it doesn't the dominant will quickly outgrow the other

Ron Reefman · 12/06/2016, 09:41 AM

If you get 2 males or 2 juveniles (not sexed yet), and keep them together, one will become bigger and will also become the female.

If you get 2 that have matured and have been kept alone, they will both be female and will likely fight until one dies. A male of any age can become female, but once a female, they always stay a female. There is no switching back.

12/05/2016, 08:30 PM	#1
Mr.Shrimps Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Springfield Va Posts: 116	Does the bigger clown always become the female? I have introduced a new clown into my tank. He just a tad bit smaller than the one I already had. The one I already has is doing to shaking/submissive motion to the smaller new clown. Is there a chance the smaller one will become the female?

12/05/2016, 10:04 PM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	The more dominant will take the female role and that is usually if not always the bigger as it's easier to dominate, but I could not swear the smaller will always be submissive, and the actual age could make a difference as well if they are both still very young. My guess is the female/existing is just trying to cooperate and help things happen, and the smaller will most likely start doing the submissive twitch, but if in the rare case it doesn't the dominant will quickly outgrow the other __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

12/06/2016, 09:41 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	If you get 2 males or 2 juveniles (not sexed yet), and keep them together, one will become bigger and will also become the female. If you get 2 that have matured and have been kept alone, they will both be female and will likely fight until one dies. A male of any age can become female, but once a female, they always stay a female. There is no switching back. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017