My ocellaris snowflake clown has started attacking me when I put my hand in the tANK. I have been away from the tANK about two week and my girl was watching it so he wasn't fed properly I tried to feed my bta when I got back and he bit me (clown) I was thinking of adding a mate for him.... is this just a stage tho?
Attack of the clown
- Thread starter reefaman
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Mike J.
2500 Club Member
LOL. No, this might not be just a stage. Some clowns are just vicious. How do you think such little fish stay alive in the ocean and protect their anemone? One consolation is that if it is not top dog in the tank it will cease that kind of behavior. I have a nine year old Maroon Clown that took a chunk out of my wife's finger, she was bleeding profusely. Now, that's it's in the tank with the Powder Blue (it outweighs the Powder Blue) and got it's butt kicked it is a model citizen.
Getting bit by clownfish is very common in this hobby. Just be thankful it's not big enough to take a chunk out of you.
Getting bit by clownfish is very common in this hobby. Just be thankful it's not big enough to take a chunk out of you.
mantz88
Community Member
I have a female that has done this since day one. Even with a bigger Tang or a Swallow Tail Angel in there with it. Its just to be expected now. I like to poke at it with my finger. Nothing crazy hard or anything. Just show it who is boss. She usually leaves me alone after a few flicks.
KoleTang
Valuable Member
No, the clown is the boss fish. If you add another clown of a similar size it isn't going to end well.
Z06-Hec
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Chunk out of your wifes finger? WOW, i didnt know they can actually bite that hard...
I have def had clowns in past tanks that come and nip me but never bite like that. To me it was like they were head butting me, i would just flick at them or point at them and they would swim away and try to catch me off guard but never a bite like that. Crazy...
My wyoming whites now dont bite me either, but whenever i try to feed my nems over on their side of the tank they aggressively rip the scallop pieces off of the baster tip, its kind of funny. They steal it for themselves...
I have def had clowns in past tanks that come and nip me but never bite like that. To me it was like they were head butting me, i would just flick at them or point at them and they would swim away and try to catch me off guard but never a bite like that. Crazy...
My wyoming whites now dont bite me either, but whenever i try to feed my nems over on their side of the tank they aggressively rip the scallop pieces off of the baster tip, its kind of funny. They steal it for themselves...
saltyphish
Certified Sand Groomer
There is no guaranteed way to stop the biting. The clownfish is protecting his anemone! Good luck.
11f150
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Yeah my female clown, the boss, goes straight for my hands every time my hands are in the tank and doesn't stop trying to bite me until I'm done.
Briko03
Active Member
Same here. After consistently being on the aggressive with my hand she stopped going after it. If it looks like they are going to bite make the first move. This worked for me but not saying it will work for everyone. I also wore gloves when doing this so it gave me the confidence to not go running out of the room every time she nipped. Lol
