Clown Aggression Question

[UnderwaterGamer]

I have the usual clown aggression question, but am wondering which path forward to take! The bigger of the two isn’t letting the smaller one out of a corner and has nipped his fins a few times. The smaller clown has started to become very skinny to the point where you can see his bones sticking out a bit, however he eats everytime I feed them (every other day). He also lays on the sand bed/rock work a few times a day to the point where I think he’s playing dead. So here’s where I’m curious about helping him out.. should I…

A) Increase feeding to once everyday until he bulks back up (or permanently feed once a day)

B) Separate the aggressor into a breeding box for a couple days/ a week to give the small guy a break

C) Move the small clown into a separate tank that is fully cycled but only has a CUC in it

D) Other?

I plan on moving all fish/ coral into the new tank eventually, it’s fully cycled and has been going through the diatom phase (about 2 months old now). I’m just afraid that if I separate them then re-introduce them later on then the fighting will start over again. So I figured I should keep them together so they can work things out but I don’t want to lose one in the process!

TIA for any help!

 

[Freenow54]

I am replying to this because mine are the same. I heard that they can actually change sex. Do not know if that is true. Mine were the same size when I bought them. Now one is much larger, and through the night it has chased the small one around to the point it flipped itself into my overflow. When I reunite them it always went right to it and snuggled it. So maybe they are like my wife and me lol.

 

[Mical]

My choice is option "B". aggressor to the penalty box.

 

[TnFishwater98]

I have the usual clown aggression question, but am wondering which path forward to take! The bigger of the two isn’t letting the smaller one out of a corner and has nipped his fins a few times. The smaller clown has started to become very skinny to the point where you can see his bones sticking out a bit, however he eats everytime I feed them (every other day). He also lays on the sand bed/rock work a few times a day to the point where I think he’s playing dead. So here’s where I’m curious about helping him out.. should I…

A) Increase feeding to once everyday until he bulks back up (or permanently feed once a day)

B) Separate the aggressor into a breeding box for a couple days/ a week to give the small guy a break

C) Move the small clown into a separate tank that is fully cycled but only has a CUC in it

D) Other?

I plan on moving all fish/ coral into the new tank eventually, it’s fully cycled and has been going through the diatom phase (about 2 months old now). I’m just afraid that if I separate them then re-introduce them later on then the fighting will start over again. So I figured I should keep them together so they can work things out but I don’t want to lose one in the process!

TIA for any help!

How big is your tank?

 

[UnderwaterGamer]

How big is your tank?

Currently in a IM 20G, the new tank is a WB 25

 

[Jekyl]

Acclimation box would be best bet. I can't remember if the aggressor or the other should be placed in there. Clowns are awful, mean pets. Need to give the sickly one some time to recover either way.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I’d move the aggressor to the box. If you move the male, the female will still try to attack it through the box. You may eventually have to separate. From that point the male will eventually turn female, so I wouldn’t reintroduce.

 

[TnFishwater98]

I’ve had success changing the tank bully by introducing another fish. Maybe put a green chromis, or a few PJ Cardinals. The numbers or presence of another fish sometimes breaks tension/bully habits.

 

[Freenow54]

I’d move the aggressor to the box. If you move the male, the female will still try to attack it through the box. You may eventually have to separate. From that point the male will eventually turn female, so I wouldn’t reintroduce.

So the female is larger? Funny thing my clown in the small tank has calmed down. It is in a 45 , and is about3 inches long. The one in the large tank 90 g is still hitting my fingers, about 1.5"

 

[Freenow54]

I’ve had success changing the tank bully by introducing another fish. Maybe put a green chromis, or a few PJ Cardinals. The numbers or presence of another fish sometimes breaks tension/bully habits.

Have a 4" tang in my large tank. Although the clowns still live at the top because I still have the lights off waiting for my PAR meter

 

[Sharkbait19]

So the female is larger? Funny thing my clown in the small tank has calmed down. It is in a 45 , and is about3 inches long. The one in the large tank 90 g is still hitting my fingers, about 1.5"

The female is dominant and grows larger than the male in almost all cases.

 

[Freenow54]

The female is dominant and grows larger than the male in almost all cases.

Figures LOL. Can they Vote?

 

[vetteguy53081]

you will want to isolate the larger one which a female and often the dominant one disallowing male to eat why the male is often the smaller one and even swim freely.
Its a hierarchy amongst clowns and simply give it a 2 week timeout