How to find a mate for my True Perc? - Page 3

tashier · 02-13-2007, 12:07 PM

So I did manage to catch the little Percula while he was dozing off last nite.

I got a clear plastic jug, punched a bunch of holes in it and suspended it in the tank right over the RBTA with the big female in it. The little guy is now safely in the jug. A couple of questions:

1. Is there a possibility that they may never pair and get along or does it usually work?
2. Is there a possibility that the small perc (about 2") has already changed to a female and cannot change back?

Thanks.

maveri9720 · 02-13-2007, 12:35 PM

From what I have been told, Percs are pretty easy to mate up, so just give the new couple so time alone.

And I was recently told that a male by himself will not change sexes unless there is a reason for him to change, ie, another clownfish in the tank with him. So, until they pair up and start hanging out together, you should still have a male Perc. The bigger, more dominant one will change into the female.

This was from a reputable online vendor.

Weatherman · 02-13-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maveri9720

And I was recently told that a male by himself will not change sexes unless there is a reason for him to change, ie, another clownfish in the tank with him. So, until they pair up and start hanging out together, you should still have a male Perc. The bigger, more dominant one will change into the female.

This was from a reputable online vendor.

I don't think I'd count on a male staying a male, if it's all by itself. Given sufficient time alone a clownfish will become a female.

Back in 2005, I paired up a couple of Tomato clowns. First fish was introduced into the tank in July 2005 as a juvenile. All by itself, it grew rapidly. The second fish was introduced in in October 2005 as a juvenile. They paired up immediately, since the new fish was about 1/3 the size of the one introduced in July. They spawned for the first time on January 1, 2006.

Since then, the first fish (the female) has continued to grow. The second fish (the male) is the same size as when he was introduced into the tank. She is now about five times the size of her partner.

maveri9720 · 02-13-2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weatherman

I don't think I'd count on a male staying a male, if it's all by itself. Given sufficient time alone a clownfish will become a female.

Back in 2005, I paired up a couple of Tomato clowns. First fish was introduced into the tank in July 2005 as a juvenile. All by itself, it grew rapidly. The second fish was introduced in in October 2005 as a juvenile. They paired up immediately, since the new fish was about 1/3 the size of the one introduced in July. They spawned for the first time on January 1, 2006.

Since then, the first fish (the female) has continued to grow. The second fish (the male) is the same size as when he was introduced into the tank. She is now about five times the size of her partner.

I'll have to research some more myself, but just b/c a fish grows some doesn't make it a female. And that would explain why after they paired, the bigger one kept growing, b/c it changed into a female and females are larger.

I'll get back to you on this though.

ReefNeck · 02-13-2007, 03:37 PM

If a clownfish remains alone for any real length of time it will become Female! I can't be specific on how long exactly but this is known to be true.

Spanky · 02-13-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tashier

1. Is there a possibility that they may never pair and get along or does it usually work?
2. Is there a possibility that the small perc (about 2") has already changed to a female and cannot change back?

Thanks.

1. It's a possibility, but it usually works.

2. 2" is pushing it. I have laying females at 1 1/2" - 1 3/4".

You'll know in a day or two. When you see the large female charge the smaller one. If you see the smaller one not charge back, but dip his head up and down, shake and dance - you have a pair.

tash, your female is about 3". If this doesn't work, I would look for one about 1 1/4" to pair up with her.

Spanky · 02-13-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefNeck

If a clownfish remains alone for any real length of time it will become Female! I can't be specific on how long exactly but this is known to be true.

true

tashier · 02-13-2007, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanky

tash, your female is about 3". If this doesn't work, I would look for one about 1 1/4" to pair up with her.

OK, thanks for the info. I had originally purchased a smaller one but it quickly died probably from being hammered by the female since I didn't know the box trick. I bought a bigger one thinking he'd have a better chance.

tashier · 02-13-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanky

You'll know in a day or two. When you see the large female charge the smaller one. If you see the smaller one not charge back, but dip his head up and down, shake and dance - you have a pair.

And just to add to this...

What I've seen is the female going after the smaller perc and he's just running like he**. This was before I put him in the clear container.

Weatherman · 02-13-2007, 04:25 PM

Don't know if this helps, but here's a picture showing the difference in size of my Tomato clown pair only about a week after they paired up.

They are in a 180g tank, so he (the smaller fish) was able to flee and hide when the female got too mean. But, the success in the pairing seemed to be largely based on the fact the male never gave up. He would approach the female, she'd charge, he'd do his little epileptic seizure dance and she'd immediately back off. This happened dozens of times over a period of about three weeks.

tashier · 02-13-2007, 05:26 PM

I'm still a bit confused though. What if the smaller one is already a female? What would clue me in on that? No dancing? Not getting along? What exactly?

Weatherman · 02-13-2007, 05:30 PM

If the smaller one had already turned female, if she was smart she'd run and hide. Once female, there's no going back, and she'd definitely lose a fight with a fish twice her size.

Spanky · 02-13-2007, 05:51 PM

No dancing and hiding, or trying to charge back and getting the holy you know what beat out of her.

tash it's not so much telling if it's female, it's looking for the males to dance. If the new fish doesn't do the dance, chances are it's not going to.

tashier · 02-13-2007, 06:32 PM

OK, I will keep an eye on it and see what happens. Thanks

Weatherman · 02-13-2007, 07:55 PM

Sometimes I wonder whether the little epileptic seizure dance is something that clownfish are born, pre-programmed to do, or something that requires a little boost of male hormone to kick off. If it's the latter, there may be a fairly narrow window of opportunity for a maturing clownfish to appease the resident female, or get driven off. Possibly the reason why, in nature, there is only one male and one female in a clownfish group and the rest are stuck as juveniles.

As I mentioned, my little male knew how to do the dance and never gave up. I may just have been lucky to have picked a fish at the exact age where he knew exactly what to do and exactly the right time to do it.