Pregnant Male Clownfish

I took a look at my ocellaris clownfish yesterday and noticed that its belly was swollen. To me it reminded me of pictures I had seen of other fish pictures I have seen just before they lay eggs. So I told my wife -- "Hey guess what, our clown fish are going to lay eggs".

After about 5 minutes of discussing that all the babies would die I suddenly realized that the fish that was pregnant was the smaller of the two clownfish and should be MALE!!!!

So -- is it always the case that the larger of a clownfish pair is female?

Anyone have a picture of a gravid clownfish so I can compare?

Well either way, I should find out in a week or so what it really is. If it is a female there should be eggs, if not it should be dead soon.


Some info on my tank. That pair of clownfish have been in the tank for 4 years. Both were added at the same time and were small. Eventually one became large and dominant and the other remained small so I figured the large one was female. Recently I have noticed that the fish don't seem to be swimming togeather as much. One (the small one) hangs out on the right side of the tank, the other is always in the middle.

One other question -- will a female become swollen with eggs, if there isn't a male present in the tank?

Edited by Kevin - October 08 2007 at 10:48am

Welcome retch2k!

The male may have an intestinal problem (gas), is getting obese or has a tumor. Either way, the rapid enlargement and change in behavior is probably indicating its discomfort. After 4 years I wouldn't expect it to live much longer. Sorry.

Pop, Pop, Fizz, Fizz, is there a mainstream (Or underground) Treatment for severe indigestion occuring with fish?

Hmmm...Todd, it is the other way around. 

Since the subject hasn't died yet...they are actually born sexless and the biggest one becomes the female.  Bill and Mike are right from what I've read.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/innews/clownfish2003.html

That is only one of many references on the matter.