im fairily new to clownfish, and i got one in trouble. please help!

boyesreef · 10-22-2007, 04:26 AM

i have a fourteen gallon biocube, with about 14 or 15 lbs. of various liverock set up in it. heres my problem. i have two percula clownfish, bought about a week apart (i know thats my first mistake) and my problem is that my smaller, first bought clown is eating all of the fins and attacking the other clown. the first bought is half the size of the seond bought, and winning the territory battles. is there any way of stopping this besides getting rid of number two? the second bought fish hasnt given up hopes yet, but it looks like its been in a blender. its starting to show on the sides of the fish now also. any info is a major help. thanks.

**CarmieJo** · 10-22-2007, 07:52 AM

Boyes, first of all

to TR.

This is somewhat normal behavior in clownfish. Have you tried rearranging the aquascape? That would redistribute the territory and let them find their own niche. Is the new fish eating?

Russel P · 10-22-2007, 10:48 AM

Not to disagree with Carmie ( I think the world of her opinion), but I'd bet my paycheck you will have to move the new clown or lose it if the aggression is as bad as it sounds. If this was a even a 30 gallon aquarium moving the aquascape might cause them to settle in to opposite ends of the tank. But when you've got a territoriality issue in a tiny tank, the fish have to be separated. When a fish has it's sights set on running off another fish, moving the rocks around seldom makes a difference in a small tank. The first clownfish only wants to run the new fish off. In it's perception, the new fish won't leave! It will keep being aggressive until the newly introduced threat "leaves" which, in the aquarium, usually means death or being removed by you.

Also, it really sounds like the newer clown needs to get in a hospital tank.

**CarmieJo** · 10-22-2007, 08:46 PM

^^^
And, I know when to be quiet.

I did not pay attention to the tank size. Truly not much real estate to work with.

JeffDubya · 10-22-2007, 09:57 PM

Not to beat a dead horse, but its truly amazing how if you were to add these fish at the same time you might not have had any problems...

These fish that are so beautiful, so docile and peaceful are vicious under other circumstances.

boyesreef · 10-23-2007, 07:24 AM

i removed the newer fish this morning, i moved it to the sick tank temporarily. they were both eating, but the new guy has the tail eaten down to the point that there is hardely any black left, and the transparent is gone on ALL fins. looks like ill have to trade him in. any ideas for a replacement fish? i appreciate the good advice fellas, im always willing to learn.

boyesreef · 10-23-2007, 07:31 AM

also, forgot to mention, redoing the aquascape did nothing, i even added more. i have a 14 gallon due to appartment size, i envey those of you with the beautiful bigger tanks.

veriann · 10-23-2007, 08:48 AM

hey bud, welcome.

get some pics happening if you can. your tank might be looking like a tin of sardines at this point, although benifical to have rockwork, it just sounded like alot of rockwork for a small tank. sorry to hear about your fish, did you return him after all that, or is he still in the QT?
How long have you had the main tank set-up? If its new the fish might be responding with aggression compounded by this. Although unless bonded, your asking for war to begin with i guess.

boyesreef · 10-23-2007, 09:12 AM

hes still in qt. i have only the two fish in there now, but i think he may just been a victim of circumstance. bought at different times is never good from what i hear. my problem now is getting my new long tentical anenome to set foot. he keeps floating around the tank. i turned off all water movement systems, hopefully that helps.

Russel P · 10-23-2007, 09:33 AM

You may have trouble returning a fish with it's fins eaten off. If it's eating and on the mend, why not trade in the smaller one?

JeffDubya · 10-23-2007, 12:03 PM

Here's a question.

Are the two clowns the only livestock? If so... what about taking a piece of cut acrylic with routed baffle teeth and splitting the tank in half?

Good luck returning the injured fish, unless someone at your LFS specifically told you adding a clownfish to a tank with a previously established clown wouldn't be an issue.

boyesreef · 10-24-2007, 12:37 AM

they are not the only livestock, i have i have a sally lightfoot, flame scallop, two blue leg hermit rabs, three snails, and an lta. the seperation sounds like a valid plan, but it wouldnt be a good idea with all that sea life. im going to nurse the new guy back to health, then i got guy that wants to buy him.

JeffDubya · 10-24-2007, 01:37 AM

No, I concur.

Now here's a question to the forum... if boyesreef wants to have a pair of clowns, does he have to remove #1 and then buy two new ones and introduce at the same time? Or is there a way to fool the dominant clown, perhaps take him out, reorganize the rockscape and then return him AND a new clown at the same time?

boyesreef · 10-24-2007, 04:11 AM

mr. dubya, i think you may be on to something!!! that almost sounds crazy enough to work. ill wait for other oppinions, and give it a try.

Russel P · 10-24-2007, 10:09 AM

I think it'd be a longshot. Split them for two weeks or more, then introduce them at the same time, maybe, but that would mean keeping 3 tanks going just to try to get them pair up which is FAR from a sure thing. Not being a pessimist, just my guess. If you try to keep one in that tank then rearrange the rockwork, have a net ready, because the same thing is going to happen again.

boyesreef · 10-24-2007, 10:13 AM

im sorry to report, number two has sucomed to his wounds. he passed away at around 6 o-clock this morning.
may he rest in pease

**CarmieJo** · 10-24-2007, 07:17 PM

Bummer. I'm sorry about your fish.