are my clowns paired?

2 juv clown fish I have. I got one today thats like maybe 0.1inch smaller than the one I had for a year by it self. I added it like 40 minutes ago, but they are swimming up and down, left and right together, the most apart they go is no more then 10 inch so far once in awhile, but so far they are swimming together.

When I had this clown by it self, he would 99% swim only at left side at the back side for a year. Now his swimming in the front glass, in the middle, even goes near the sand.

 

A little early to declare them paired but I would think if they are staying near each other that it is a good sign.

 

what would be the signs of paried clown fish?

 

I believe it is they swim together even more closely after one has established dominance. They will stake out a spot and defend it very aggressively. They will clear out the area of any fish also.

 

Clownfish relations are a lot like people. One minute they can be buddy buddy and the next the female will be body slamming the smaller submissive male. If she is allowing the new clown to swim around, he is not in cowering in the corner, has no torn fins, or breathing at the surface then they will probably be fine as long as he displays the submissive body language.

I would give it several weeks to classify them as a "pair", but if she is tolerating his presence that is a good sign.