whats up with my clowns? video attached.

My clowns have been doing this for about 5 days. im not sure what action to take or if i should do anything at all.
they usually play around quite a bit but never this violent.


VVVV Click VVVVV

 

Looks like they are fighting for territory. Either that or thats a weird mating ritual.

 

+1 I think they are establishing territory or who is the dominant one

 

Just continue to observe them and make sure they aren't beating each other up. I'd venture to guess that they'll be fine.

 

You might wind up with a pair before all is said and done. As mentioned, I would watch them closely to make sure things aren't escalating to the point where the bullying is incessant or excessive.

 

What kind of clowns are those? Looks like a black disbar ocellaris and a perc kind of.

I had a semi Picasso And ocellaris pair Up. They were aggressive at first and got stuck Gil locking like yours but were not that aggressive in fighting.

 

I expected to see some submissive behavior rather than the B/W retreating. I do not see any shuttering or passive posturing.

How old were the clown fish when you got them, and how long have they been together?

Mine also would tussle pretty enthusiastically but one was always showing submissive behavior. If they have been together for months I would not be too concerned, one retreats and the other does not pursue.

Gorgeous tank BTW, I was really impressed with the coral colors and other inhabitants.

 

the picasso clown was in my daughters 10g for about 2 months then moved over to the current tank.
the B/W clown was added to the tank shortly after that.

They have been in this tank for roughly 3 months together. They immediatly found each other in the tank and just hung out together.
usually they play around but never fighting or locking mouths like this.

if they were both female wouldnt one be beat up pretty bad by now?


Thanks for the compliments!

 

If the picasso was alone in the tank then it's a female, ( stunning fish). Hard to tell in an video but the B/W looks larger than the picasso, not a great sign.

In a 65 gallon tank with a lot of rock work you maybe able to add a small male, if the aggression increases between the 2 present continues, and end up with one pair (not breeding) and a lone female, it might work out.

If you continue to see no submissive shuttering done by either, they might very well be both females. As they mature the aggression between the two will get bad. Once female always female, very rarely does it go the other direction.

Time will tell if you have to either remove one or the another, or risk introduction of a sexually immature fish and hope a pair bonds and they are too busy fussing with each other they leave the lone clown be, very risky though.

 

When I first introduced the b/w the Picasso was shuttering and was being submissive.
The b/w is a little bit bigger, but not by much.