GSM pairing

[txg8gxp]

OK, well I went and did it. I just got another GSM, the new one is about half the size of the other one I have. So far, with the bag floating they seem very interested in each other. Wish me luck, I hope my (up to now) very calm GSM doesn't deside to go on the attack.:nailbiting:

[aquasport24]

Have the net ready,just incase...lol.

[txg8gxp]

I will have two ready...hahahahaha

[txg8gxp]

Ok, so far so good...I guess. The new little guy took a beating for sure. The little one is now missing some tail fin :( It finally got smart and started hiding behind my wavebox. Hopefully they will learn to get along soon. It was very interesting watching the color and attitude change or the two clowns, even though I had to watch the little one take a beating. Lets hope when I make it home from work saturday they will be buddies.

[Third Coast Tropical]

I would separate/partition them somehow until you return from work...and then try again.

[txg8gxp]

Ok, well I hate to say it...but the little one didn't make it :( I didn't think the abuse was to bad, but I guess the little one must have taken a good hit to the side or less it was just a stress thing. I'm not sure when or if I will try agian. I will have to do alot more reading, and make sure to have another tank setup if I will try another pairing. I'm shocked at how calm my larger GSM is...until introducing another GSM. Would introducing a pair outside of the main tank be a better idea? That way it's not the larger clown territory. I'm guessing the fighting is normal, or if you find a good pair do they become buddies right away?

[Double-O-Zilch]

Not sure if you read this yet. Sounds pretty crazy, I guess my mom just got lucky, as she seems to with her tank!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=215098

[txg8gxp]

Good article, I kept the little one seperated several times. I even saw the little one submit, by turning sideways and doing there little shaking thing. Hopefully I will have better luck next time.

[Double-O-Zilch]

I wonder if you introduced them in the 14 BC if you would have a better chance? Then they will be on equal ground back in the big tank.

[Third Coast Tropical]

If you try again, take the female out....re-arrange the rockwork some, then add the male, and then add the female back....and then stay close to tank and watch...any sign of serious aggression, pull the little guy out and place in separate container, or...Find one of those small plastic reptile/bug containers that are vented....place the male in that inside the tank while you can't watch over them...that way they are in the same tank where they can see one another, but dont have access to one another....then when you can babysit again, release the male....and repeat if necessary (my guess is you will)...

[alton]

See if you can find a baby, I had luck first with GSM years back and just recently B&W's

[txg8gxp]

The one I added was the smallest I have ever seen, about 1 1/2" versus my larger around 3". Next time I will get a plastic bug cage for sure, that seems like the best idea. I probally won't try agian for awhile, I will wait and do more reading like I should have the first time.

[txg8gxp]

Ok attend number 2... This one is not as small, and I learned my lesson. I now will use a plastic bug cage, and I also have another tank up and running just in case. So far the larger GSM doesn't seem as aggressive towards the new one. I sure hope this works this time.
http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/txg8gxp/DSC00637.jpg?t=1276137668
http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/txg8gxp/DSC00639.jpg?t=1276137882

[Third Coast Tropical]

They are both pretty big. Do you know where they came from? The history of the new fish?...Just hoping it hasn't already gone female! That is going to be a major fight. Be careful. They are both beautiful!

[txg8gxp]

No history, I still have the new one in the plastic cage....but I think I might get lucky. They are both just laying there next to each other, no signs of aggression.

[txg8gxp]

You can see in the pics that the one in the plastic tank is holding it's top fin down, I'm hopeing that is a sign of submission.

[Third Coast Tropical]

Just be careful. When you release it, watch it...if you can't stay and watch and there is any sign of aggression, separate them again...might take a week or longer, but my advice is slow and carefully

[txg8gxp]

True, I will keep the new one in the plastic tank when I'm not around.

[txg8gxp]

Ok, well I tried putting the two fish together a few times in the 57g...but the larger one wasn't very nice. I then moved the small one into my bc29 then two hours later started adding the larger one. Totally different fish now, still not perfect...and still chases the small one around but is not trying to bite anymore. I seperated them for the night and will try agian tommorrow, but I feel alot better about it now.

[txg8gxp]

Well, last night was the first night I left the pair together. Everything is going great, I took these pics right after I turned on the lights this morning.
http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/txg8gxp/DSC00649.jpg?t=1276541576
http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/txg8gxp/DSC00650.jpg?t=1276541606

[Mr Cob]

Very cool. hx for posting pics. They are beautiful clowns!

[txav8r]

Glad to see they are finally getting along!

[txg8gxp]

Thanks, guys... It took alittle time, and a few damaged fins...but I think they are getting used to each other now.

[Kristy]

Nice looking pair. We successfully paired a couple of maroon clowns almost three years ago - and have been regretting it ever since! Hope you don't end up feeling the same way down the road. :)

Our female's already pushy behavior became outrageously aggressive once they began spawning. Now it's a rare occasion that I go in the tank for maintenance without getting bitten by her. And if I take a toothbrush to the rocks, she will end up injuring her face she attacks it so fiercely. (Took them a couple of years, maybe 2 and 1/2 to start spawning successfully, btw, just as a point of reference).

[Kristy]

Here's my pair and their spawning thread:
http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?55191-GSM-pair-lay-eggs!-AGAIN!-12-22-update

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/mekdean/Clownfisheggs003.jpg

[txg8gxp]

Thanks for the link, As dumb as it sounds I don't mind getting attacked. I'm used to keeping aggressive reptiles, so this peaceful reef thing has been alittle weird anyways.

[Kristy]

Thanks for the link, As dumb as it sounds I don't mind getting attacked. I'm used to keeping aggressive reptiles, so this peaceful reef thing has been alittle weird anyways.

Hilarious! In the meantime, if you should miss the rough stuff, you are welcome to stop by and move something (anything) in our tank and Big Bertha will introduce herself to you. :D

[txg8gxp]

hahahah, thanks for the offer. :)

[Double-O-Zilch]

Awesome Steve! Glad to see they finally came around.

[txg8gxp]

Another peaceful night :)
http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy46/txg8gxp/DSC00655.jpg?t=1276610805

[justahobby]

Good to hear man! Maybe they've been preoccupied trying to get to that beer.

[txav8r]

Good to hear man! Maybe they've been preoccupied trying to get to that beer.
LOL! ... But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Shiner Bock is the sun. ...

[txg8gxp]

hahaha I new that was coming...

[justahobby]

LOL! ... But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Shiner Bock is the sun. ...


:lmao2:!!!

You forgot the next lines:

...Arise, fair clown, and kill the envious maroon,
Who is already sick and pale with hangover .....

[Kristy]

Hey, is that Shakes-beer?

[txav8r]

LOL!! Clever!