Clowns acting 'funny'

[Lana]

I have had two true percula clowns that for 3 months. They're both the same size, and I've been wondering if they're ever gonna decide who will be male and who will be female. Now they're doing this very strange thing. Whenever they are near each other, they turn to the side and "shiver". I dont' know how else to describe it. They look like they suddenly get a chill. It's somewhat freaky, but they look perfectly healthy. :-o Could this be an impending sign of one of them becoming the dominant female? They both do this, not just one. Anyone ever seen/heard of this? Thanks!!!

[kaiser]

I don't know what that behavior means, but mine are doing the same thing.

[Instar]

They are starting to court. Just wait, it will get worse! :-D

[Isis]

It is a dominancy issue... All fish do this. Now whether it be an impending sign of a sex change, can't answer that one.

[adaminaustin]

Try this link
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=215098&perpage=25&pagen umber=1

Look under Submissive behavior in clownfish ;)

[Lana]

Wow - That's exactly their behavior! At least it's submissive behavior, and not bloody rampage behavior ;) Thanks!!!

[Lana]

Thanks Joshua! I didn't realize I was in the sell/trade forum until after I'd submitted it. oops.

[oceancube]

well let me tell you, when i got my 3 true perculas, two of them did the same thing, then like in 20 minutes or so, they were hooked on each other, they even jumped in my rose together, i wouldn't worry as long as there's no fin nipping ,chasing,etc. oh by the way send some pics of your clowns!!!

[Lana]

I'll try to borrow my mom's digital camera for some pics. They really are beautiful, and extremely personable. Since they started their little shaking dance, I've watched them closely. No signs of agression at all ... yet. Hopefully I can get a pic of my coral banded shrimp too - he's the hilarious one.

[gcantu]

I had the same thing happen with mine. And then Eggs everywhere every 3 weeks or so. Just pay close attention if they decide to begin hiding together behind a rock or beneath one because they may begin to lay eggs soon after.

[Instar]

Its not aggression, its the beginning of courtship. Enjoy the show Lana. It may be a role, in part, of dominance and submission, but, the communication that is going on there is complex. Oceancube describes it well. BTW, what happened to the third Percula? I had a trio of Ocellaris that did the same thing and then the pair turned on the third and killed it. You ever want to see aggression, try this with maroons.

[kaiser]

When You say
Just pay close attention if they decide to begin hiding together behind a rock or beneath one because they may begin to lay eggs soon after do You mean something like this?

[oceancube]

hey kai isn't it cool to watch the clowns swim all up in the anemone, i love to see my perc tear it up, also freak out when it spits food in the anemone, freaky !!! your set up looks really good kai, hope you continue to have goodluck with it!!! send some more pics of your tank!!!oh i love the corals in the background :-D

[Instar]

Hey Lana, your clowns have started something! I've been working, watching, waiting for my young maroons to pair up in my 125. They have been dating for almost a year now, but live in separate quarters. Today I got to see a real visit with more than just a hello, flutter and kiss - and the female did the shake thing! This is my first tank raised baby, and my favorite of that first group. To see her become female and pair up -- this is exciting! She is 17 months old and getting big now.

[Tim Marvin]

They will usually start biting at an area, sorta cleaning a spot off like house keeping. Then the female will make passes over that area depositing eggs. The eggs will come out in sticky strings and adhere to the spot the male will then pass over to fertilize. Mine always do it in the open close to the host. In the case of the giant leather they hosted in they actually stuck the eggs to the underside of the leather.

[Lana]

Thanks for all the great information! I haven't been able to get any pictures clear enough to post - they're just big orange blobs. The clowns have definitely taken an interest in some oyster shells that are in the front of the tank. Haven't seen any eggs yet, but they're still doing the "shimmy-shake" routine. No agressive behavior yet either - yeah! I think they're pretty intimidated by my coral-banded shrimp. They start cleaning a spot on the shell, he decides to investigate (very food motivated), they race off until he leaves. I don't think any eggs would survive the shrimp at this point. :? My next move is to get an anemone for them. I'm taking it slow, so it may be awhile before that happens.

Thanks again!!!