Clown agression

[Tuan’s Reef]

I have a pair of ocellaris clownfish since they were juveniles. One was bigger than the other and got along well. Now both is almost the same size and I'm seeing agression. They get into arguments during meal time and now i see them sleep separately every now and then. I guess the honeymoon is over. I am guessing they are fighting over dominance. Should i separate them before someone gets killed? I can easily separate them if i have too but i was wanting a pair.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I have a pair of ocellaris clownfish since they were juveniles. One was bigger than the other and got along well. Now both is almost the same size and I'm seeing agression. They get into arguments during meal time and now i see them sleep separately every now and then. I guess the honeymoon is over. I am guessing they are fighting over dominance. Should i separate them before someone gets killed? I can easily separate them if i have too but i was wanting a pair.

Sounds like they are pairing. The male in the "happy union" is usually the whipping boy for a more dominant female

 

[Rmckoy]

They need to establish dominance . Being close to the same size could be the challenge

hopefully they can work it out depends how much of a stubborn husband he is .

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Sounds like they are pairing. The male in the "happy union" is usually the whipping boy for a more dominant female

Its a weird relationship. It is the male that is challenging the female. I just feed my tank. The male accerted his dominance and chased the female away. Then oddly bought back a piece of food for her? lol weird stuff.

 

[Rmckoy]

Its a weird relationship. It is the male that is challenging the female. I just feed my tank. The male accerted his dominance and chased the female away. Then oddly bought back a piece of food for her? lol weird stuff.

Perhaps he is a she ?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Maybe, it's the smaller one that is being a jerk.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a pair of ocellaris clownfish since they were juveniles. One was bigger than the other and got along well. Now both is almost the same size and I'm seeing agression. They get into arguments during meal time and now i see them sleep separately every now and then. I guess the honeymoon is over. I am guessing they are fighting over dominance. Should i separate them before someone gets killed? I can easily separate them if i have too but i was wanting a pair.

Its clown hierarchy. They start out well and soon the dominant and larger being thefemale becomes dominant and will often push the male to a corner, take over an area of the tank and even hog all the food (reason male is often smaller) . You can isolate female in acclimation box 2-3 weeks but rarely does it change her behavior.

 

[kevgib67]

I started with the same size two juveniles that were less than an inch. For four weeks they were inseparable and then like a light switch was flipped the aggression began. I assumed it was pairing and dominance behavior. Ultimately I found the on battered and dead . I purchased another about a half inch larger and for the last 10 months no problems. Good luck I hope it turns out different for you.