Clowns:If and when to break up a pair

[carey]

I received my australian b&w clowns about 6 weeks ago and just recently they have started to "bicker". I figured they would work out their differences in a week or two but it's going on 3 weeks now and the little one never seems to be able to catch his breath, the big one harasses him half the day. :-(

The larger one does the laying on its side and shaking thing- this is a dominant trait, yes? How long do I give them to stop bickering before i move one to another tank? I'd love to keep them together though if possible but don't want the big one to hurt the little one.

Any insights or experiences guys? I haven't had this issue before and this is my third set of clowns.....

 

[Tomchong22]

I would give it another week. If it is bothering you a lot you can put in a mirror into the tank to give them a break.

 

[carey]

Thanks for the idea. I'm not sure where I would put a mirror though lol. They are still bickering though but it seems to be not as bad as it was a few days ago. They still aren't sleeping together like all my other clown pairs did though. Not sure if that is a bad sign or not...

Anyone else know what I should do with these guys? let them keep going at it or move one?

thanks in advance folks!

 

[David S]

leave them be,this was going on for about 4 weeks with mine,its just the dominance dance.