Scared clown

[Ricardo]

Hi All,

bought a pair of clowns week last saturday.

Both are feeding very well. Problem is the female doesnt comeout from behind rock very often...only really when feeding...and now and again to chase male.
When she does come out and if im near the tank and she sees me...she bolts back behind rock...

Will this behaviour stop with time and would you expect her to come out from behind the rocks. I've also noticed she is getting darker in the colour in the body.

The male stays out all the time and tends to seek shelter in my forest of xenia...but doesnt hide behind rocks!!

Thanks

[MR Teee]

Sounds like the female has chosen her territority and is only going to let the male near when she feels ready. The darkening of her colours confirms this.

Extract taken from this page.

http://www.reefpedia.com/index.php/Tomato_clownfish

After spending some time in the plankton streams, the clownfish grows large enough to take it's place in the social structure of its species. All clownfish start as males, and will approach a suitable looking anemone or location and either stake it out for their own, or attempt to join in the existing clownfish group. If they stake out their own spot, they will turn into females, and eventually allow other males into their territory. If they join an existing group, they do so as a sub-male. One who is allowed to be in the group, but does not breed with the female. Eventually, the super-male may die, and they may then take his position. Once in the super-male position, if the female dies, they most often will change to become the female.

Perfectly normal behaviour after adding them to a tank.

[Ricardo]

hope she hasnt taken up her territory...behind the rocks at back of tank is not a good place...the male seems to have setup a territory in the xenia...but from what it says below i take it males dont have their own territory but wait for the female to decide!

Sounds like the female has chosen her territority and is only going to let the male near when she feels ready. The darkening of her colours confirms this.

Extract taken from this page.

http://www.reefpedia.com/index.php/Tomato_clownfish

After spending some time in the plankton streams, the clownfish grows large enough to take it's place in the social structure of its species. All clownfish start as males, and will approach a suitable looking anemone or location and either stake it out for their own, or attempt to join in the existing clownfish group. If they stake out their own spot, they will turn into females, and eventually allow other males into their territory. If they join an existing group, they do so as a sub-male. One who is allowed to be in the group, but does not breed with the female. Eventually, the super-male may die, and they may then take his position. Once in the super-male position, if the female dies, they most often will change to become the female. (anyone know the average group size?)

Perfectly normal behaviour after adding them to a tank.

[moorish]

the female is boss and will only let the male in when she good and ready.could take few days or a very long time just have to wait.derek

[Ricardo]

the female just hides behind the rocks all day...so i hope this inst her territory!!!

the female is boss and will only let the male in when she good and ready.could take few days or a very long time just have to wait.derek