I came home tonight to find my one of my Percula Clown Fish, almost completely in the mouth of my Aussie Duncan. This Duncan is only a little larger then a quarter in diameter. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't tell if he was dead or alive, but thought he was dead. Took a quick pic, in case he was still alive, then pulled the coral out and the coral spit him out. Poor little guy was dead. So....how the heck do you think this happened? I've only had the clown for about 2 weeks.
He was the smaller of the pair. I suppose he could have been curious with this coral as a host, but I haven't seen him go near any corals. The larger female has been loving a smaller hammer, but I haven't seen the small one near any corals.
Or, I suppose the female could have killed the male and the coral just caught himself a big snack. This female did badger the first male I brought home and he died within a couple hours. (LFS bagged the two in the same bag, and when I got them home, I found her attacking him). I haven't seen her do anything more than chase this new clown occassionally. I was so sad for this guy. Any best guesses on what might have happened? I can't imagine this Duncan just caught the clown swimming by. Pam
Any idea if clowns seem happier alone, or in a pair? This is the second clown I've lost in the past 3 weeks. The first one was killed by the female, and the second one, the coral. Wondering if I should try a 3rd clown or leave the female by herself. Do your clown pairs usually hang out together all the time? This pair would swim together occassionally, but not all the time, but they were only together for about 2 weeks, so that might have been too soon.
Oh I'm so sorry! I bet something was going on with your clown and it was in a weakened state or dying before the coral got a hold of him. Where did you find a Duncan BTW.
I bought the Duncan from another Reefer (Chief from SubHub.com).
It's an awesome looking coral ! I love it. I bought it with one head about two months ago, and now it has 5 or 6 heads. When it gets larger, I might frag it and trade or sell some of the heads. I want it to get larger for my tank first though.
bye
Pam
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seahorsedreams
Oh I'm so sorry! I bet something was going on with your clown and it was in a weakened state or dying before the coral got a hold of him. Where did you find a Duncan BTW.
It's one cool looking coral and hard to find. I really am betting he didn't just up and eat the clown though... there had to be something else going on.
Put me on the Frag list. Everyone else... *points behind herself* ..... the line starts back there for y'all.
LOL Renee. Ok, I've officially started a frag waiting list and added you as number 1! It's one of my favorite two corals. This one, and my new Sun Coral. And I do think you're probably right about the clown. Maybe he was getting sick and went to rest on the coral. I hadn't seen him showing any interest at all in hosting any corals, so this was a shocker to come home too. So sad too because his little face was sticking out and looking at me.
Poor guy. Wish I was home right when it happened and I could have saved him. So wonder if these kinds of things happen more often? That would sure explain a lot of fish that completely go missing never to be found again.
Pam
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seahorsedreams
It's one cool looking coral and hard to find. I really am betting he didn't just up and eat the clown though... there had to be something else going on.
Put me on the Frag list. Everyone else... *points behind herself* ..... the line starts back there for y'all.
Hi Renee and Bobby. Were you two still interesting in trading something for a head from my Aussie Duncan? I bought one head about 6 months ago, and it's now 7 large heads, so I'm ready to frag it and trade a head for something.....either a LPS or an easy SPS. I paid $40 for the one head, and I've seen them sell for as high as $75 per head. Let me know if you are still interested. Here's a picture I took last month. The Aussie Duncan is the coral on the far right. I took some nice macro pictures last night and I will post one here later tonight. I will post the pics in the trade area in a day or two, but I wanted to give you two first dibs since you were the first ones that asked. I'm in Nashua. Where do you live? Thanks. Pam
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seahorsedreams
It's one cool looking coral and hard to find. I really am betting he didn't just up and eat the clown though... there had to be something else going on.
Put me on the Frag list. Everyone else... *points behind herself* ..... the line starts back there for y'all.
i'll take the spot right behind Renee !! i have some cool stuff to trade.
__________________
Bobby
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And I do think you're probably right about the clown. Maybe he was getting sick and went to rest on the coral. I hadn't seen him showing any interest at all in hosting any corals, so this was a shocker to come home too. So sad too because his little face was sticking out and looking at me. 
