Larger Clownfish Shaking at Smaller Clown

[dancer503]

Hi there!

Just curious, I introduced a smaller clown into my tank today, and the larger one (original) kinda curves itself and shakes towards the smaller one. They did a little chasing but now they are in the corner together. Is the bigger one showing dominance or what does this “mean”
I guess? Lol
Thank you so much for your help!

 

[dancer503]

Hi there!

Just curious, I introduced a smaller clown into my tank today, and the larger one (original) kinda curves itself and shakes towards the smaller one. They did a little chasing but now they are in the corner together. Is the bigger one showing dominance or what does this “mean”
I guess? Lol
Thank you so much for your help!

Also, the larger one moves away back to the normal spot and then comes back to shake some more at the smaller clown.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi there!

Just curious, I introduced a smaller clown into my tank today, and the larger one (original) kinda curves itself and shakes towards the smaller one. They did a little chasing but now they are in the corner together. Is the bigger one showing dominance or what does this “mean”
I guess? Lol
Thank you so much for your help!

[please post a video under white light intensity but likely clown hierarchy and squabbling as they often do

 

[MoshJosh]

From my reading it is generally a dominance thing but can also be related to mating/pairing up. Given you just added the second clown today I would guess it is dominance related in this case.

Mine shake at each other from time to time.

 

[littlefoxx]

Maybe their bonding dance! Agree with uploading a video

 

[dancer503]

hopefully that’s good… the larger is the orange one about 2-2.5 inches and the black is about 1-1.25 inches.. thing is the smaller one just kinda ignores it? I’m not sure… thank you all for the help!

 

[dancer503]

[please post a video under white light intensity but likely clown hierarchy and squabbling as they often do

Sorry I forgot to reply to you

 

[dancer503]

From my reading it is generally a dominance thing but can also be related to mating/pairing up. Given you just added the second clown today I would guess it is dominance related in this case.

Mine shake at each other from time to time.

Thank you! I did post a video as requested from the other two responders!

 

[littlefoxx]

Thank you! I did post a video as requested from the other two responders!

Can you upload it to yourube and post a link? Most wont be able to see it in that formal

 

[dancer503]

Maybe their bonding dance! Agree with uploading a video

That’s good to hear! I hope that’s what it is! Considering the LFS I got the bigger one said he/she was kinda a meanie head

 

[dancer503]

Can you upload it to yourube and post a link? Most wont be able to see it in that formal

Yes one moment please

 

[dancer503]

Can you upload it to yourube and post a link? Most wont be able to see it in that formal

 

[agueybana81]

Also, the larger one moves away back to the normal spot and then comes back to shake some more at the smaller clown.

This is very likely part of their dominance "rituals", nothing to worry about. You might see some random aggression until they fully pair up and even then, don't be surprise if the female shows aggression every now then. That's just clowns being well clowns.

 

[dancer503]

This is very likely part of their dominance "rituals", nothing to worry about. You might see some random aggression until they fully pair up and even then, don't be surprise if the female shows aggression every now then. That's just clowns being well clowns.

I appreciate the help! Hopefully the bigger one doesn’t bully my other one to death I named them Anput and Anubis (Egyptian gods) and I think Anubis fits the black snowflake clown perfectly!

 

[dancer503]

Now the bigger one is chasing the smaller one

 

[littlefoxx]

Yes bonding behaviors I believe. The little one should start shaking like he is having a seizure to show her he is submitting to her!

 

[vetteguy53081]

hopefully that’s good… the larger is the orange one about 2-2.5 inches and the black is about 1-1.25 inches.. thing is the smaller one just kinda ignores it? I’m not sure… thank you all for the help!

You have a dominant female which will be a problem child. This is known as mentioned clown hierarchy and not a mating dance. It is where the female clownfish is much more dominant than the males. They become greedy and try to eat most of the food when added to the tank (which is one reason the males don't grow as large). They often become aggressive to protect their home which may be an anemone, a nesting area, or the entire tank. If it attacks your hand when you're trying to clean the glass or it won't let any other fish near its zone, you likely have a female clown. Often if you separate the female for a week or two into an acclimation box or sump, there may be a change in her behavior, and you will quickly see the male come out in the open

 

[dancer503]

You have a dominant female which will be a problem child. This is known as mentioned clown hierarchy and not a mating dance. It is where the female clownfish is much more dominant than the males. They become greedy and try to eat most of the food when added to the tank (which is one reason the males don't grow as large). They often become aggressive to protect their home which may be an anemone, a nesting area, or the entire tank. If it attacks your hand when you're trying to clean the glass or it won't let any other fish near its zone, you likely have a female clown. Often if you separate the female for a week or two into an acclimation box or sump, there may be a change in her behavior, and you will quickly see the male come out in the open

Oh man. Well, I will put her in my acclimation box and give them time.

When I clean the tank she doesn’t usually bother me, kinda comes up to check me out then swims away. I will separate her from him, and hope for the best. He’s in the corner where my flow maker is now

 

[dancer503]

You have a dominant female which will be a problem child. This is known as mentioned clown hierarchy and not a mating dance. It is where the female clownfish is much more dominant than the males. They become greedy and try to eat most of the food when added to the tank (which is one reason the males don't grow as large). They often become aggressive to protect their home which may be an anemone, a nesting area, or the entire tank. If it attacks your hand when you're trying to clean the glass or it won't let any other fish near its zone, you likely have a female clown. Often if you separate the female for a week or two into an acclimation box or sump, there may be a change in her behavior, and you will quickly see the male come out in the open

So now that she is separated, my male clown now won’t leave the box she’s in. Clowns are confusing lol

 

[vetteguy53081]

So now that she is separated, my male clown now won’t leave the box she’s in. Clowns are confusing lol

Thats normal but you will see male more out in the open and resuming normal swim behavior