Bonded Clownfish Pair Nipping

[NaturalGothic]

Hey Guys!
I bought a bonded pair of Dr. Sanjay’s Naked Photon Clownfish via Live Aquaria’s Diver’s Den. I’ve had them about a month now and I adore them. The bigger one acknowledges me and is friendly. However, she makes me work for it. The small one, on the other hand, loves to hangout. He comes running over and wants to play, interact with me.
Since they’re still so young, they seem to have days where they get along but don’t constantly display pairing behavior. Recently, they’ve begun to sleep in the same spot (but not always). The last few days, I’ve caught them nipping/bickering with each other. I know it’s 1,000% normal for pairing clowns to do this and that’s fine.
But, the large one has developed a white-ish mark on it’s left Temple. I noticed that about 2 days ago but decided to wait on medication since it didn’t look serious. Plus her appetite and behavior were unfazed. The smaller one got a white spot after they lip locked earlier today. I added 5mL Primafix and accidentally added 5mL freshwater Melafix.
From what I can tell, the only difference between the two is it’s concentration. The active ingredient in the marine Melafix is higher than the fresh; but, are the exact same thing.
What did raise a red flag for me was my cleaner and fire shrimps. They both are actively trying to clean the female by jumping on her. Last time they acted like that, a different clownfish refused them and it died. Should I be concerned about their bickering nips leading to a bigger issue like parasites? What’s the best way to prevent something like that?
Thanks,
Alison

 

[fishguy242]

hi,pics would help,sounds like normal ,but lip locking,starting to get bad,watch for fin grabbing ,then put female in isolation box for couple? days,lip locking,fin grabbing are going too far

 

[kichimark]

Hi Alison. As you mentioned, sounds like normal pairing behavior. But from what it sounds like, the dominant one seems to be getting rough (some can). I had my first two black storms like that and man was the female aggressive. I put her in a separate container inside the tank for a time out that lasted a week. When reintroduced, she was still aggressive but not as bad and they eventually decided their roles.

Pay close attention to the white marks and see if they get better or if they get worse. If everything is good then the marks should heal up. A picture of the white mark would be very helpful to see though if you can capture that. But if she is still eating and swimming normally, I would not be too worried.

 

[NaturalGothic]

Hey guys; sorry for the late reply. I’ve been disgustingly busy at work and simply haven’t had the time. I snapped a picture as requested so we can get a better idea of what’s going on. It seems to have scabbed over(?). I’m not sure if that’s how I should describe it, but, it’s the only phrase coming to mind ATM. Before, it almost looked like a tuft as opposed to now.
As far as behavior goes, they were beginning to sleep together and hangout more than before. However (the last two-ish days) they’ve kept to their separate corners and the female seems to be chasing the male out of “her” spot. This is also accompanied by her vibrating and the male ducking for cover. It almost seems like they took a step back if that makes sense.

 

[fishguy242]

makes sense,completely normal,i do not see spot on temple,see something on lip?? poss injury from running into rock?

 

[NaturalGothic]

makes sense,completely normal,i do not see spot on temple,see something on lip?? poss injury from running into rock?

The female had a spot on her temple but it seems to have healed. The male is the one with the thing on his lip. I added a little melafix and primafix just encase. I also added a tiny amount of reef buffer since melafix can lower the ph.

 

[NaturalGothic]

makes sense,completely normal,i do not see spot on temple,see something on lip?? poss injury from running into rock?

Would now be a bad time time to introduce a new fish? I’ve had a small Springer’s Damsel in quarantine who is now ready to move tanks. Springer’s are extremely peaceful and I’m worried the female clown might beat them up.

 

[fishguy242]

it may help,distraction,from male don't think she will catch damsel if tries,add at night

 

[NaturalGothic]

it may help,distraction,from male don't think she will catch damsel if tries,add at night

Thanks I’m gonna wait for the clowns to fall asleep then I’m gonna try to sneak the Springer’s in. While I’m at it, I might also added in a peppermint shrimp and a turbo snail I’ve had in the QT tank.