Mated Clownfish

[gbolton]

I had a pair of mated clarki clownfish wild caught but in captivity past 9 years. The female just died in the past few weeks. Do any of you have experience introducing a single small clownfish into the mix and having them pair off, or do you think I should start with a new mated pair?

 

[mogurnda]

No experience, but a lot of reading. In the wild, the male rapidly (in less than a few weeks) changes over to a female and pairs off with the next juvenile that is waiting in queue on the anemone. Can't think of a reason why this would be different in captivity.

If you try it, I'd be interested to hear if the "male" goes through a growth spurt like they do in the wild.

 

[gbolton]

hmmm should be interesting I will keep you posted. I am going to look for a very juvenile clarki over the next few days. The male has already began growing that is for sure.

 

[gbolton]

Well my previous male Clarki is not twice his(now her) previous size in a matter of 2-3 weeks and now hosts full time inside of my H. Mag anemone. I introduced a juvenile Clarki into the system yesterday he is approx .75 inch in length. At this point the female will not allow him anywhere near the anemone but they are not fighting.

 

[mogurnda]

So far so good. How did the anemone do in the move, by the way?

 

[gbolton]

The anenome did great in the move he was placed into a styrofoam ice chest with water and was our of the tank for approximatly 6 hours. It has gotten quite large larger than both of my hands.

 

[Cearbhaill]

Pairing Your Clownfish

 

[gbolton]

Well my little juvenile now seems to be getting along great with the larger Clarki. They are both up in my H. mag. He looks so small the H. Mag is well over 15 inches in diameter and he just disappears into it.

 

[mogurnda]

Like getting lost in a big feather bed. Except, um, with tentacles.

 

[gbolton]

On a side note I have started using Poly Filter once a month for two weeks and this seems to really clean up the water. The anenome looks eve better over the past two months than before.