Business Time for clownfish?

Some one suggested on another thread of mine that it could be business time for my clownfish, they're picking at the rock and looks like they're scratching against it as well. I also looked into just now and the smaller clown fish has been wiggling, shaking, what have you, vertically by the bigger one. I'm sooper pumped about it, if that's the case, but I just have a few questions and maybe I could get some input.

I've had my tank since Sept. '10 and the clowns were a few of the first fish added in Oct. '10. My sig is up to date regarding the rest of the tank so the first question is if this is the case is anything else in the tank going to interfere? Also will a nitrate levels of 40 ppm be an issue? I've also been thinking about aquascaping b/c there seems to be territory issues, should I hold off on that?

Any other information regarding would be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance!

 

My 2 cents

I had a mated fire clowns that did the same thing - they were the first in my tank (adam and Eve)
Well after they killed my sailfin and almost killed my bangi I took them back to the lfs.

They were great for about 2 months then started to take over the tank. They looked like they were getting ready to mate.

One of the hardest things I had to do was get them out - I had to take all my lr out. They are very smart fish - I tried traps, food with nets - I caught every thing but them LOL

My aquarium has been better for it. I like clowns and all but they had to go. I will never get a mated pair of clowns again.

I did move rocks around twice - worked for a week then started all over again.

IMO 40ppm nitrate is pushing it - do you have cheto or other macro algea? If not do a 20% water change

 

Usually clown fish are around 2 years of age before they start spawning.

It is difficult to raise the fry and takes a whole different tank with specific modifications.

Changing up the scape, will probably do nothing other than make them mad for a short time. If they become a breeding pair, they will continue to breed if the conditions are right.

 

I suggested that they might be mating. It all depends on what you are going to do with the eggs. If you leave them in the main tank, they wil likely hatch and die bc you dont' have millions of live rotifers. Mine just spawned again last night. I have tried to grow them the last 3 times with no success. If you want to give it a shot, start a rotifer culture NOW, take the rock that the eggs are on out of the tank in 5 or 6 days, put it in a tank with at least 3 gal of water and an airator and heater. The night that they hatch, normally around the 9th night, add a BUNCH of live rotifers. Do a 10% wc every day, and add rotifers every day. After the 5th or 6th day you can start feeding other foods such as flake. More than likely you won't be able to be too successful this time. I am going to start a culture soon and give it a fair shot. I would observe and learn as much as you can this go round. Good luck.

 

Hey thanks element, you gave me a little research to do at work. Figured my reply on the last one would go unread if I didn't start a new thread.

Sounds like an awful lot of work, probably won't do that. I was just concerned they were sick and just needed reassurance that I wasn't gonna lose the little buggers

 

No problem. I'm sure they are fine and having more fun than you are right now. HAHA.

 

Hahaha outstanding