Clownfish attacking each other?

[rattlesnake attack]

Hello, I have one female clownfish and one male clownfish. They have been with each other for 1 1/2 years. I have noticed them get closer this past week to the point where they are always next to each other. Today I saw the female swim underneath and bite the male on its back fin area and hold on for 5 seconds. The male didn’t even look like it was resisting. It didn’t leave a mark which would have been easy to see because he is mostly black. Is this aggression, breeding or something else?

 

[rattlesnake attack]

Hello, I have one female clownfish and one male clownfish. They have been with each other for 1 1/2 years. I have noticed them get closer this past week to the point where they are always next to each other. Today I saw the female swim underneath and bite the male on its back fin area and hold on for 5 seconds. The male didn’t even look like it was resisting. It didn’t leave a mark which would have been easy to see because he is mostly black. Is this aggression, breeding or something else?

 

[Dom]

Normal when new. They are deciding who will be male and who will be female.

But after 1 1/2 years, it may be spawning behavior.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Most likely asserting dominance

 

[Reef.]

Totally normal, the female has to do this to the male or the male would turn female, you only need to worry if the female stops attacking the male.

 

[Peace River]

It is not uncommon to see this behavior when clownfish are introduced to each other and again later when they are thinking about breeding. This doesn’t guarantee that eggs will be coming soon, but it is a sign pointing in that direction. My suggestion is that you continue to observe and only intervene if there is notable body damage or infection. Good luck!