Clown Question

JeffDubya · 08-07-2006, 02:58 PM

Sorry for the generic thread title.

So... I have two true percs.

One came as a pair from an online retailer. One of those two never looked right, and actually did not survive 24 hours. I was really bummed, because I specifically wanted to introduce them as a pair and I was under the misunderstanding that I would not be able to add another fish and have them pair up.

I learned that understanding was incorrect, and began looking for a new playmate for the surviving clown - who incidentally, was not looking good at all. Clown depression seems like an oxymoron

but these fish really do emote, don't they?

So, as luck would have it, I found another percula. Now, this one was live bred and the color was not quite as deep orange/red, but I bought him, and those two fish bonded pretty quickly. Clown #1 perked up and is looking great.

Later, I added a frogspawn coral, hoping they would both host in it - as my tank is a bit small for anemones, and any experienced aquarist I have spoken to has pretty much told me to steer clear of them until I have more experience and a larger tank.

Both clowns are *almost* hosting. I saw one of them really rubbing around on the frogspawn one night when just the actinics were on and the froggie was going to bed. There wasn't much left outside of it's shell, but the behavior of the clown was unmistakeable.

Now, when I first added the clowns, #1 would do the "twitch" move - which made me believe that *it* would become the dominant fish. However, over time, #2 has clearly become the dominant fish, and seems to be hogging the FS. While it is not burying itself in the FS tentacles, it definitely hangs close by or barely touching, and when #1 comes by, it is generally chased off.

Any way I can get them to share better?

If they clash like this and don't host together, does that mean they will not mate?

In order to get them deeper into the FS, should I feed it mysis with a turkey baster, give them a reason to really burrow through those tentacles?

Thanks...

JeffDubya · 08-08-2006, 01:24 PM

I went in last night at about 2 AM to feed the tank my newly hatched brine shrimp... clown #2 was hosting so beautifully in what was left of the partially retracted FS.

Clown #1 was sleeping all by himself way up in the back corner!!!

It made me so sad! Is there any way to get these two to play nice??

***Rob*** · 08-10-2006, 12:38 AM

actually this is normal..
just let nature take its course.. pairing up clowns take patience and alot of time.

JeffDubya · 08-10-2006, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

actually this is normal...

FWIW, I check on them every night before I crash... at least 1 to 2 AM. Since clown #2 is *really* hosting, the FS doesn't seem to close up as much as it used two More and more tentacles are left out, giving it more space to wiggle around.

The last 2 nights, clown #1 wasn't up at the back of the tank anymore. It was right next to the FS like during the day, and clown #2 seemed to be tolerating this behavior just fine.

Hey Rob (or anyone) when can you tell that clowns are actually paired and not just hanging out together?

***Rob*** · 08-11-2006, 12:12 AM

yes, the next stage is "paired". you can usually tell when this stage has been reached when the two clowns stop the frequent quarreling, and start swimming and "sleeping" in the same place

JeffDubya · 08-12-2006, 04:09 AM

These two seem to be getting along better with one another every day...

http://www.jwswinc.com/perculove.mov

Here's a movie that I filmed tonight...

wildeone · 08-12-2006, 03:25 PM

My percs acted the same way and they were introduced one at a time. They fought a lil at first with one even getting a little tail (so to speak). Then one would hang out high close to the top at night, and the other would hang out in my leather. Then they would hang together occasionally and still bicker a bit now and then. Then they both started hanging out in the leather together at night. Then they discovered my anemone and have been in there ever since. They leave it only occasionally, usually to snag some food. They are difinatly paired now!

BTW, the one that twiched in my pair was not the doninant either...

iglowce · 09-08-2006, 02:02 AM

i hope my new skunk clown would host my frogspawn or plate coral ... hopefully.. <crossing my fingers> hehe

**CarmieJo** · 09-08-2006, 10:26 PM

Hi Duane,

I like the new avatar.