Mean clownfish

[Aeb1419]

Ive had this clownfish for about 6 years now. She is the meanest thing ive ever seen. Meaner than my wife .

I just introduced a blenny and a neon goby to my tank. They are literally stuck to the corner of the tank and have not moved for more than 24 hours because if she spots them she will kill them. I moved her to the back chamber refugium for now. I really want to keep these new fish, she has been giving me problems with all new fish I introduce to the point I have to return them. I dont want to get rid of her but if I have to I will.

I was thinking of seperating her out for about 2 weeks maybe even a month If i have to. If I reintroduce her to the tank will she be less territorial? If not, anyone want a clownfish?

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

What type of clownfish is it? Separating her may help. Is she hosted by anything?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Not surprised. Clown fish are Damsels......mean fish. I think you picked a good solution in putting her in isolation until she hopefully calms down.

 

[Aeb1419]

its an oscellaris

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I would do isolation and rearrange the tank. Introduce her when lights are out. It may or may not work.

 

[Mark_C]

^ +1
Remove her, re-arrange the rock, add the new fish, put her back in at night. She will not recognize the territory and, usually, will accept the new fish as it re-establishes. If it does not work you can supply the other fish with very tiny switchblades.

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

I did this with my Yellow Tang. when I picked up my powered brown (yes I know I should had the powered before the yellow but anyway) my Yellow went right for her, wouldn't go for food or anything just kept after the powered brown. At that time I had my 36g setup as a QT tank so I put the yellow tang in there for 6 days. After 6 days I put him back into my display tank and the powered brown and yellow been best friends since (once in awhile they chase each other) they been together for 11 months now.

 

[Aeb1419]

I think I will keep her separate for about 2 weeks. Hopefully this will work. I want the 2 new fish to get settled in. They are still scared.

 

[Hawkeye]

how big is this tank? A big tank there is no issues - but a small tank will be difficult. Best to add the clown last like you are trying - but you may have to get rid of it.

6 years alone in the tank? or are there other fish? that's going to be very hard to overcome - even 2 weeks isolation.

 

[lefkonj]

Good suggestions all around. I would also suggest this: Don't think of it as getting rid of her but trying a new community in your tank. I had a Niger Trigger that was fantastic except it eventually began to beat everything up, I tried a bunch of stuff but eventually just sold it to a LFS and now I have new fish I couldn't have before. Really enjoying the change.

 

[Aeb1419]

well I decided to try to give it a try by keeping her. Shes been in the back chambe rof my tank for a week now. I am gonna give it a month and see how it turns out.

 

[Aeb1419]

ok heres the update. I hd my clown in the back chamber for exactly a month. I reintroduced her into the display and she was wonderful. Did not attack the blend anymore. Everything was going great. About 2 weeks passed by and I noticed her being more aggressive towards my dotty back but nothing serious, would chase away when the dotty back got close and that was it. Was cleaning my tank this morning and found my blend dead. Now I really don't know if the clown did it or not. here are some pics




that huge open wound I don't think the clownfish did. Whenever my clown did kill, I would find fish with pieces ripped off and bitten up. There seems to be no bite marks or any part of its body chewed at. Not sure what happened. This really was my favorite fish. Had so much personality. =( Even the kids were upset.

 

[Hawkeye]

if the fish has done it before, i'd suspect that same fish again - regardless if you can't find any noticeable marks.