Everyday Quarrel or Dev

I purchased my first fish 2 False Percula Clowns (1st Larger on 1/11, 2nd Smaller 1/13) They got along great from the start...they are always with each other...I know they need to go through the process of determining dominance, but for whatever reason, recently (within the last few days) the larger of the two is nipping and darting at the smaller one....how would one determine when it is getting out of hand, or all just part of the process....the smaller doesn't seem to have been harmed in this, should I be concerned?

Also, how do you guys feel the female clown is going to act towards a new tank mate, (not another clown obviously).

Will the risk of her being aggressive towards new fish increase the longer they are alone in the tank...should I get a new fish sooner than later, so she doesn't get so used to being the only two fish in there?

 

The first question could be courtship behavior as they are pairing up. My Maroon Clowns would circle and shimmy at the beginning and my larger clown was over a year old before introducing the smaller fish. They soon established their sexes, large female and smaller male, and have gotten along well since. My larger Maroon never bothered any fish I introduced. The pair now resides as the only fish in my 20 gallon long.

HTH DT!

 

Thanks for your reply....I think they are fine...just over analyzing things again! I actually purchased a Midas Blenny and some hammer coral the day before last....and they are all getting a long together, I think I caught my fireshrimp attempting to give the new comer a nice cleaning...the Midas really just sat there...it was awesome to see! Anywho, think that is going to be it for fish, until I upgrade my tank of course...man this stuff is addicting!!! Thanks again!

 

Great decision, a twenty gallon is really only good for two smaller fish, three depending on the adult size of the livestock and dentrifying capacity of the tank.

Good luck and post some pictures of your 20 gallon slice of the ocean please!;D