Clownfish not pairing

[smaraghy]

I had a pair of ocellaris clowns in my 34 gallon cube. They seemed to be paired off for several weeks then roughly one week after introducing an anemone the larger clown (female by now?) starting bully and chasing the smaller clown away. After several more weeks the small clown ended up flipping out of the tank onto the floor.
I have now introduced a new very small clownfish, maybe 3/4 of an inch, and the same thing is happening. The larger fish keeps chasing him periodically and shows no signs of letting up. Has anyone had their clownfish pair up after over two weeks of fighting? Or will they never get along? Could my larger clownfish be territorial, it is tank raised?

Any thoughts???

 

[JohnK]

What kind of clowns? With some types the dating process can be quite brutal

At 3/4", the new one should be un-differentiated I think. How long has the new clown been in there?

 

[afboundguy]

My initial thought is also that they could be different kinds of clown or possibly the size difference isn't large enough to make it a smoother match up...

 

[smaraghy]

the large clown is a 2" tank raised ocellaris semi picasso. The new small clown is a 3/4" tank raised ocellaris mocha clownfish.

 

[smaraghy]

What kind of clowns? With some types the dating process can be quite brutal

At 3/4", the new one should be un-differentiated I think. How long has the new clown been in there?

two weeks

 

[Reefer140]

mine battled for quite some time before they calmed down. probally 2 months before they got along without any issue

 

[Jocko]

My Clarkiis have been in my 150 for like 9 months. They fought and figured out the gender thing, but the male STILL hasn't moved into the female's sweet digs (RBTA). I guess they just aren't ready to settle down yet.

 

[eweston]

My Ocellaris clown had been alone for 5 years in my 30G. I introduced a second clown a couple months ago and they seems to have paired immediately. They have never fought and now they seem inseparable.

 

[Dangger]

Have you thought about lighting a scented candle and putting on some Marvin Gaye?

 

[Jocko]

I'm still trying to decide between Skimmate Seabreeze or Alcyonacea Delight. And yes, it's Glade.

 

[fanaglethebagle]

Do you have room for another anemone?

 

[Jocko]

Who? Me?

 

[fanaglethebagle]

Well, anyone with this issue really. Adding another anemone could give the other clown a home and maybe make him a little more appealing to the female. Or she could just dominate both of the anemones, which I have also seen.

 

[Jocko]

Ah. I think one mobile cnidarian is probably enough for me, thanks!

I'll just wait until her biological clock starts ticking and she decides to invite him over.