Change in Clownfish Behavior

Hi All,

My clownfish for the last 5 or so months have had a pretty consistent behavior. They cruised the open water portion of the tank, but had a corner they like to hang out in most of the time.

This evening the male one (very obviously) smaller has been doing the submission dance more than usual, and seems to be hanging out in the large caverns\tunnels in my live rock.

Is this more likely hiding from the female, or some other behavior?

Thanks!

 

Sounds like the female is exhibiting more dominance than usual, seems like every once in awhile my female clowns would beat up the male a little, not much. As long as he is being submissive and she is not ripping his fins apart or dragging him around by the fin they should be able to work it out. They are very strange fish sometimes.

 

Should I separate them if it were to reaches this point?

 

I would try moving some of the rocks around before removing one. If you have to than I would remove the female, put her in a breeders trap in the display if you do not have a sump, and re-introduce here after a couple of days.

It's not very often it gets to the point of real physical harm. It does happen for whatever reason. What type of clown fish are these?

 

Ocellaris I believe.

I'm not anticipating it getting that far. I just want be ready if it gets to that point! lol

 

Cool.

Much better than Maroons, Tomato or Clarkii.

My B/W misbar female would be pretty aggressive with the male from time to time, like grabbing him by the fin and slamming him. He seemed to sense the change in mood in her and show a lot more submissive shaking and avoid her at times.

Good Luck