Clown Fish Spawning Question

How can you tell if clownfish are spawning? I'm wondering if mine are and I'm just not noticing.

I watched some videos on YouTube, and to me, it just looks like clownfish swimming together. How can you tell they are spawning, and just not swimming together or treading water together?

 

well they would usually be cleaning a rock together and perhaps rubbing themselves on a rock that they have been around for a long time.. Usually under their anemone or something they host.

 

Well, my clowns have decided that their "spot" is at the top of the water next to the heater. They pretty much stay there 98% of the time and tread water. So boring. Plus, they are behind the black trim of the tank edge, so I can't even see them. Makes me so mad! Anyways, lol I have noticed the female getting quite pissy when anyone comes near their "spot." don't know if that means anything.

 

may be low oxygen in your tank

 

The pair that spawns with pleasant regularity in the tank in my office (430 Gallon) always spend TONS of time cleaning their spot - to the point BEYOND OCD!!!
That's usually how I can tell they are about to let em fly!!!

 

Typically the female has to be 2 or more years old. Usually the female is kind of chubby.

When preparing to spawn the male will clean one spot in the tank like crazy. He will hang out in the area of the eggs.

If you are watching them you will notice quickly if they have spawned just by the behaviors of the male.

 

are you talking about your naked occ and B/W? that would be sweet, but i agree with what everyone has said, major cleaning and extra aggresiveness from the female, i would watch the other fish in the tank as they can be bullied to death/jumping when a female is ready to spawn.

 

Wohooooo!! You're going to be a mommy, KC!!

 

Haha thanks for all the info. Watching my scooters spawn got me wondering about my other pairs in the tank. My firefish show no interest in each other except sleeping together, so I don't see them spawning, but my clowns are very bonded.

I've had the clowns for a year - so the female is probably getting pretty close to two years. She is very big and the male has barely grown at all. Lately I've noticed her getting pretty possessive of their "spot." I'll watch the male more closely and see if I notice him cleaning. They do do something to the heater by where they hang out, but I'm not sure what it is.

Thanks for all the info!

Oh, these are my picasso clowns.

 

So, how is that going? Are they still romancing?