Breed Clownfish | Saltwater Fish

[tannersmith2000]

Hey guys

I just started a 28G nano tank and I have had it running for tw months now. Well I just bought two black and white ocellaris clowns from SWF.com. I specifically told them to send two of the smallest fish they had in order for one to take on the female role. So I got them in today and one is about .75 inches long and the other is about 1.25-1.5 inches long.

I am very interested in breeding my clowns if they become a pair. What do you think the chances are for this to happen?

Thanks a bunch!

Tanner

PS - If there is any more info about them pairing, let me know.

[UNIXMan]

It will definitely happen, but it takes time. Based on their current size, I would say it will take over a year. Be sure to feed them well, with a good mix of food. All clowns are born male, so when you get a 'pair' you have to wait for one to 'become' a female. I have a pair of orange ocellaris clowns. I bought one when it was about 2.5 inches long. After six months or so, I bought the second - just about the same size, but the one I had was already bigger. It took almost 5 months, but they are spawning.

A year later, the male is still about the same size as when I bought him, but the female (first one I bought) is now a full 3 inches. I don't know exactly what the breeding size is, but I imagine yours are still a little small to start breeding. You might check Fishbase.org for these facts or email one of the more reputable websites for this particular information. Clowns breed very easily, compared to other marine species. You need to keep your fish happy and keep their water quality good, and chances are excellent they will breed if they feel safe enough to do so.

Good luck!

[raphfasi]

Hey....

Since we are on the subject, i just had a quick question? I baught 2 marron clownfish. When i purchased them i recieved one that was alittle over 2in, and the other around a inch.

Will these 2 still end up pairing or is there now a less likely chance.

I dont know much about there behaviors but have noticed them, nipping at each others gills almost, or maybe the pectoral fin. Whats up with that?

Any help would be much appreciated thanks!!

[UNIXMan]

Clowns fight for dominance. The one that "wins" will become female. Initially, they are all born male, the dominant fish will expel his testes and grow ovaries. This takes some time, but it shouldn't take more than a few months. Maroons are "special" in the clown world. They are the only clowns that are never found in nature in groups of more than 2 fish. All other clowns form groups of 6-12 fish or more.

When pairing Maroons, the goal is to find a small fish to pair with a large one you already have rather than the other way around. You want a big difference in size (which you have) so the smaller one will be forced into submission quickly. Expect a short period of fighting. Maroons are very aggressive, but once they pair up they won't fight anymore.

[fritz_ajnc]

I have also bought 2 percula clown fish in an expo, one is 1.5 inch and the other one is 1 inch. I try to pair them but in every time i look at them the larger one keeps on fighting with the smaller one. Could it be still possible to pair them? How long would it take for the larger one to be female and the smaller one to subdue to the dominant female? Please help me with this matter because i want to breed them and have a lot of baby clown fishes putting them a desirable reef tank.

[AQUAholic]

Longtime aquarist, I wanna build a tank conducive for clownfish breeding... I just added a 210 g tank to my collection and as soon as it cycling properly I wanna get going! Is this tank too big?