clownfish aggression

skanchel · Oct 12, 2014

Is it normal for my clownfish to almost constantly "attack" the other clownfish?
I just bought 2 tank raised 9ocellaris clownfish, one a little larger than the other. After a day or 2 I noticed the larger one almost seeking out the other to poke at it. It died after 3 days, not sure if it was sick, water parameters off, or if the other fish just jabbed it into a psychotic breakdown. Since I wanted a pair I got another ocellaris today, just barely smaller than the mean one, and it's doing the same thing. It started off jabbing at it while it was floating in the bag. I tried putting the larger one in a clear container in the tank to keep I separated for a few hours, but after about an hour of them both swimming freely in the tank it's terrorizing the new fish just like it did the other one.
I understand some aggression is normal, but I don't want to lose another fish to a bully, plus I just feel bad for the poor little guy. The smaller fish seems fine for now. I am wondering if maybe I should try to trade the bully in for another clown or just give them time.

gemini9 · Oct 12, 2014

Maybe they are both females. I hear if there are two females together, they will kill each other.

geckoejon · Oct 13, 2014

clowns can be quite aggressive sometimes. other times they can be quite passive. their moods can also change with time.

i have a 3" onxy that is house by herself. i introduced several genderless clowns, and she picked and picked at them. i have another pair that get along with absolutely no aggression issues. then i have a pair that tolerates each other, but isn't as harmonious.

imo, if you want to make sure you have a binded pair, then buy them as such. otherwise it's hit or miss. i have swapped, bought, and sold to come up with the pairs that i have.

softy · Oct 13, 2014

Some clowns just seem to be mean! I had two picasso clowns that got along for awhile, but then had to be separated. One is now the only clown in one tank, the other gets along with an onyx clown just fine. Also have to black ice clowns that only sometimes chase the damsels, I think they are bored sometimes, but heaven forbid I want to put my hand in the tank. They will constantly nip at me…

Sometimes I want to punch them in their little fish face! J