Mating Clarkii

[BestMomEver]

I have two teeny Clarkii babies that are too adorable. I noticed this morning that they were doing their little mating “dance.” I would think they are way too small to spawn. Do they exhibit this behavior when bonding or is it possible that they might actually try to breed at their young age?

 

[DeniseAndy]

They would not be ready yet. My guess is they are beginning to exhibit signs of one becoming more dominant. Once they establish this, the more dominant will become female and they will mate when conditions are right.
Depends on clown species too. I have a pair of clarkiis, and it took over 2 years to be mature enough to mate (they were 2 yrs + as I got them from breeder very young). My baby skunks took over 4 years (also got as young clowns).

 

[davocean]

Bonding, spawning would come at a year and a half or so of age or more

 

[BestMomEver]

Thanks! I didn’t think they were old enough. But their behavior reminds me of puppy love. So bloody cute to see them try to act lik big fish!

 

[davocean]

When they do mature and ready to spawn, you will probably see the female get fussy again, often badgering the male again or just looking overall confused and ticky.
Then after they spawn usually the two are inseparable.

So now you would have a bonded pair, when they spawn they will then be called a mated pair.