Aggressive clown question

[Hockeynut]

About a month back I picked up a pair of Juvenal black ice clowns. At first it was difficult to figure which one would be the dominate fish, that has changed in a big way. The larger of the two has really taken over. I know the dominate fish will usually become female and be dominate but this fish has gotten crazy dominate.
Right now the smaller of the two cannot leave the corner by my overflow without getting chased back, there doesn't seem to be any real damage to the fish but it's hard to watch sometimes it seems like its just a matter of time before the smaller one either is going to be really hurt or even dead. The only reason I haven't taken it out of the tank yet is at least the attacks are suspended when I feed, they both eat really well.
Anyone have the same experience? And if so did the aggressive attacks seem to subside over time? I sure hope so, HELP...........

 

[jgraz]

I had a very similar experience with a pair of snowflakes I had. The larger eventually bullied the smaller right out of the tank. The first two times I heard it happen and put him back. Third time was not the charm, at least not for him.

 

[Karenvas2]

Same problem with maroons. I finally save the poor fellow and gave him to Ocean Gallery. Now she attacks any hands that goes I to water. Anyone want a free maroon clown?

 

[Hockeynut]

Really, ah, not what I wanted to read. I was hoping for better news.

 

[iTzJu]

Rob, just observe the smaller one for now or get a breeder net and keep him in there. I wouldn't want to fully separate the two for long periods of time because you might eventually end up with two females. If the bigger one isnt doing any damage to the smaller one and both are eating well just give them time to adjust. The bigger clown might still be claiming her dominance once that is settled, you might have an inseparable pair in your hands.

 

[Alcohol120]

Like others have said I would get a breeder net, especially if you notice the smaller one acting tired and trying to rest on the bottom. This happened to mine and he got stuck to a powerhead and died

 

[Hockeynut]

That's my hope ill be watching, like I've been. Getting a breeder net sounds good but catching the fish could turn into another fiasco. So for now ill let it ride but i won't doubling down just yet.

 

[Hockeynut]

Well I couldn't take it anymore so,,
Down to the LFS and I bought a clear plastic breeder pen and scooop I can't believe I caught the aggressive clown and in lock up she (or he) it went. I figure a least two weeks in Alcatraz
After closer inspection the smaller has some battle wounds.
After the little one is all healed up and a bit stronger I will try again.
I hate to lock it up but, (Don't do the crime if u can't do the Time). Baretta always said lol I'm showing my age again

 

[Alcohol120]

Well I couldn't take it anymore so,,
Down to the LFS and I bought a clear plastic breeder pen and scooop I can't believe I caught the aggressive clown and in lock up she (or he) it went. I figure a least two weeks in Alcatraz
After closer inspection the smaller has some battle wounds.
After the little one is all healed up and a bit stronger I will try again.
I hate to lock it up but, (Don't do the crime if u can't do the Time). Baretta always said lol I'm showing my age again

good idea. i was able to catch my aggressive one in my breeder net once and after i let it out after a week or so, it was so dazed and didnt attack the smaller one for about 25 minutes. I thought i had them coexisting but it wasnt long until the girl was back to her old self.

 

[iTzJu]

I would keep the female in the breeder box for at least a month, just don't completely separate them.

 

[Hockeynut]

That what I figured judeo, they can see each other easily, maybe it will work I hope so.

 

[ReeferNets]

Do you have any anemones?

Where does the larger more aggressive one hang out?

How big are they compared to each other?

You may have two sub adults which means they are turning female.

 

[Hockeynut]

Yeah I have to nems And neither fish going neither. The big one swims around the whole tank while it keeps the little one pushed up into the corner by my return. The little one is only about 2 inches long and the other one might be two and a half not much bigger definitely little bit bigger but not much. I figured that the big one was turning female and I knew that it would be a dominance thing but I didn't think it would be to the point where it might hurt the other fish.

 

[ReeferNets]

They must be captive bred clowns. Does the smaller one ever shimmy or shake when the larger one comes over or does it just try to fight back?

How long have you had them and what size were they when you first got them? One scenario is if you picked them out of a tank full of clowns you may have gotten two sub adults changing to female. Pictures would help to so i can see if they have adult patterns or shapes.

Most times the smaller/male should shimmy and shake showing their submissiveness to the female. Sometimes they both are in the subadult phase and changing to female

 

[Hockeynut]

I'll Post some pictures later, I've had them about a month, Small one is about 2 inches, Big One might be 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 Inches. They are captive bred. I don't see any shimmy most of the times it just runs into the corner and faces downward so we can't get Nipped.

 

[Hockeynut]

This is the larger one

 

[ReeferNets]

You might have a female and sub adult which is in the phase of changing. Its very hard to tell without seeing them in action.

If the other one doesnt shimmy or shake its more likely they are both female or one is and the other is changing to one.

I would see if you can trade the smaller one for a smaller clown around 1.5inches. Your best bet is to find a tank full of them in a LFS and pick the smallest one.

I would def release the larger one first and see if there is any change in behavior, if not i would look into getting another.

Also i see you have a koralia pump and anemones, please be very careful.

 

[Hockeynut]

I know about those nems, thanks. I just ordered jaebo 40 koralia s on borrowed time ill post pics of the smaller one tonight when I get home