strange ocellaris clown behavior

Hello,

I purchased a pair of clowns about 6 months ago that were tank raised. I have a bulb tip anemone in the tank as well and upon the clowns introduction into the tank neither used the anemone for a host. A few weeks later one of the clowns started to explore the anemone and then a few days later the other followed. When this happened, the first fish (larger one) became aggressive towards the other not letting it near the anemone and at first I thought I may have to separate them. I gave them a few more days and the next thing you know they were both in the anemone and no longer fighting. Since then both were doing fine and almost never leaving the anemone except to feed and to chase other fish from their space. A few days ago I noticed the 2 clowns were both swimming around each other close to the anemone and they were lip locking and the smaller one was convulsing while swimming next to the other. At first I thought this may be a mating ritual and thought this would be great however I was gone for the rest of the day and when i returned the next day, the little guy was no longer in the anemone and his lips were very swollen and it was not eating. The other seemed fine and was still in the anemone. As time has gone on, the little one is looking better and is eating but doesn't seem to want to go in the anemone anymore. It just swims around the middle of the tank and the 2 don't pay any attention to each other anymore - does anyone know if this is common with this species or if something is not right with one of the fish?? Any info would be helpful!

Thanks!

Matt

 

The dominant fish (female) won the fight, and apparently they are no longer "paired" as before.

 

Should I just leave them alone or should I separate them? I don't want them to fight again and have one wind up badly hurt or dead

 

Maybe get another to make a trio

 

Let them sort it out. The dominant clown won't likely stray too far from her anemone now, maybe long enough to feed, but not long enough to fight and kill the other clown - as long as he stays out of her territory and away from her anemone. You can never be certain, but that's my best guess as to what will happen.

 

for what reason? Would that prevent further fighting??

 

RE: Let them sort it out. The dominant clown won't likely stray too far from her anemone now, maybe long enough to feed, but not long enough to fight and kill the other clown - as long as he stays out of her territory and away from her anemone. You can never be certain, but that's my best guess as to what will happen.

Sounds good to me guess I will give them a little time and see what happens - thanks!

 

sometimes by adding a third it does sort it out

 

If the third fish is accepted by the female, however, they will most likely kill the "odd man out".

 

Ahh good to know - thanks for all the info!