clownfish attacking cleaner shrimp?

[Nem0]

In the past 24 hours, I've noticed my occelaris clown take tons of aggressive swims towards my cleaner shrimp and bite the shrimp's back/tail. Hasn't ever happened before. Cleaner shrimp and clown have been together for like 2 months without any previous problems. No damage to the shrimp yet but I have seen the clown bite the shrimp 10ish times...cleaner shrimp doesn't react back whatsoever. either just chills there or moves out of the way during the lunges. also- the shrimp hasn't been eating in the past 2 days and he normally is a pig. There is a firefish in the tank that the clown is not acting aggressively towards at all. ideas?

 

[Peace River]

In the past 24 hours, I've noticed my occelaris clown take tons of aggressive swims towards my cleaner shrimp and bite the shrimp's back/tail. Hasn't ever happened before. Cleaner shrimp and clown have been together for like 2 months without any previous problems. No damage to the shrimp yet but I have seen the clown bite the shrimp 10ish times...cleaner shrimp doesn't react back whatsoever. either just chills there or moves out of the way during the lunges. also- the shrimp hasn't been eating in the past 2 days and he normally is a pig. There is a firefish in the tank that the clown is not acting aggressively towards at all. ideas?

I'm a fan of clownfish, but unfortunately this sounds like a clownfish thing. It doesn't happen all of the time but it does happen. Do you have multiple clowns in the tank? If so, is this the largest clown that is acting out?

 

[Nem0]

I'm a fan of clownfish, but unfortunately this sounds like a clownfish thing. It doesn't happen all of the time but it does happen. Do you have multiple clowns in the tank? If so, is this the largest clown that is acting out?

Nope. only 1 clown

 

[Peace River]

Nope. only 1 clown

Which likely means she has become a female and may be exerting her dominance. No social commentary, just a clown thing! IME, sometimes it will pass and sometimes you will lose the shrimp.

 

[Nem0]

dang. lets hope not! ill put her in an acclimation box for a while and see if that calms her down lol

 

[Peace River]

dang. lets hope not! ill put her in an acclimation box for a while and see if that calms her down lol

I hope to not too, but I'd rather be candid with you now that to have you be surprised later. Also, sometimes moving the aquascape around or adding a new piece can also be the needed distraction.