Clownfish won't pair up

[Drkphant0m2]

I have four clownfish in my tank for a little over a year now. Two orange ocellaris and two black and ocellaris. The orange ones have already paired as one is significantly smaller than the other but the blacks haven't. Each of the black and white ocellaris' are the same size as the female orange ocellaris and I'm beginning to consider they have both turned female somehow. How would I know?

 

[eazy al]

You need to separate them .The other pair presence might stop their changes .u need to put them in a different tank if u want them to pair up.

 

[Drkphant0m2]

How long would I have to keep them separated?

 

[eazy al]

It's one or the other if u leave them there with the bonded pair it stunts their growth and I'm assuming it stops them from pairing. Have u notice that they hardly grow in size vs the bonded paired female is biggest. Now if u separate them and bond you can't re - introduced them with the other bonded pair .they will hurt or kill each other

 

[Drkphant0m2]

The bonded female is actually the same size as the other 2 so growth is not affected

 

[eazy al]

Just try what I told u.and see .but one paired up move them.

 

[RARECLOWNSNJ]

Usually when you have four clownfish together they will work out the pecking order on their own. In the wild clownfish are found in harems with smaller clowns living on the outer lip of the anemone and staying as sub adults.

Your clownfish should choose a pecking order eventually with one large clown being the female, a male and some sub adults. If you have an anemone large enough its possible but you always run the chance of the large female fighting anyone who challengers her dominance.

In an aquarium it is easier to keep clowns in pairs.

 

[Drkphant0m2]

That's what I thought, it's just that it's taking so long

 

[brand]

I noticed sonething which seems strange. But mine have actually switched pairs...they swingers...lol.

A Wyoming white sleeps with a phantom and other phantom with a black darwin . Then other nights they switch again...others stay paired but those guys are weird...

I think that's what I like about clowns observing their behavior espicially when adding new ones. ...who hangs with who..who sleeps where. Places to sleep .. i have a picasso and a onyx that have recently moved into a giant leather.......

The many places that they host That's another whole list..


That's why I find clowns the best fish they have a bond with each other while other fish are solo...

I don't remember any of my other fish doing such...things it's like a family bond.

Also when they defend each other as pairs....thats another show.

I guess I watch my clowns a bit to much...

The only time they all come together as we all know is Feeding time.....

Anyone else have any other strange things with clowns.

 

[Drkphant0m2]

I have noticed something similar. At night, they all seem to sleep together peacefully even though during the day they don't like being near each other. It's as if they have some sort of truce when the lights go out.

 

[brand]

Yes +1 on that that's why when I add new clowns put in and when they get to rough or start issues. Lights out...