Clownfish pairing

[jaBX1]

I know there are a lot of clownfish experts on MR so i hope someone can explain what's going on.

Some background first, I introduced 2 clownfish to my tank a few months ago. Seemed like they started to pair but one died. The surviving clown was in the tank alone for close to a month.

I introduced another clown (slightly smaller) 3 weeks ago with hopes of them pairing.
I saw the original clown having seizure (pairing dance). But now, 2 weeks later, I see the original clown being much more aggressive towards the new.

The weird thing is that I see both clowns showing submissive/ seizure dance on different days.


I also see one clown is monopolizing the rbta and snaps if the other comes close.



How long does it usually take for them to decide their sex?

And is everything normal?
I am worried since one clown was alone for a while it became female and I introduced another female. (But I believe both are still juveniles)

 

[cmantis]

Where did you get the new one from? Was it in a tank with a lot of others like a store? If so it is probably still male.

 

[dubs]

give them some time it take time to get them to pair when they didnt start out together

 

[jaBX1]

Ya the new clown was in a tank w others.

I see the old clown chasing the other and then it seems to do the seizure dance.
I thought that was a display of submissiveness. Why would the aggressor do that?


I assume there is no set time period for the courtship? At times they seem like a pair but usually chasing/ getting chased

 

[Wolverine57]

Pairing or bonding takes time! Not all the time a pair of clowns will bond. Make sure they are are not close to size, otherwise they will fight. Usually the larger one is the female, and usually are aggressive. Like cmantis stated, if you got your last clown from a LFS and yours was in a pool of clownfish, most probable is a male. Sit back and let nature take it's course.

 

[piranhapat]

I bought two Allardi clownfish about 4 weeks ago. I lost one and picked up another. I saw the new one getting chased all over the tank. Breathing heavy so I took the original place him in a small container floating in tank. After 3 days I let him out. Been over week and both are getting along and no sign of fighting at all.