Clownfish attacking new fish

[cubeguy11]

Help! I recently introduced 3 firefish gobies into my 20 gallon tank. My pair of clownfish that has already been there for about 1 month immediately started to charge them, However they never actually touched them or even tried to bite them, just charging. They ended up scaring all 3 fish into various places in the rocks, and whenever one comes out they immediately charge it again. I did rearrange the rocks just after putting them in but it hasn’t seemed to help. Also, when I added a cleaner shrimp into the tank last week they didn’t seem bothered at all.

Does this behavior eventually stop? Do I have to do something to make it stop? Or should I just return the firefish?

 

[Milliganj]

It may stop but it maybe too late. You can try removing the clowns for a while, into another tank or sump and then returning them to the DT as the newer fish might help.

If they force the other fish into permanent hiding you will likely loose them due to stress and being unable to eat.

 

[cubeguy11]

Ok I will try that. Would an acclimation box work? I don’t have another tank I can put them in.

 

[62518161]

That’s what an acclimation box is for.

 

[Milliganj]

Ok I will try that. Would an acclimation box work? I don’t have another tank I can put them in.

Not for very long but it's possible. You could always put them in your sump, but plenty of people use large totes, buckets etc. Take a look on setting up a QT in the forum.

 

[62518161]

No, but plenty of people use large totes, buckets etc. Take a look on setting up a QT in the forum.

No??? Google what it’s for.

 

[Milliganj]

No??? Google what it’s for.

I corrected my reply...I thought it was a reply to someone else on another post
I personally don't like acclimation boxes for weeks though anyway.

 

[62518161]

Not for very long but it's possible. You could always put them in your sump, but plenty of people use large totes, buckets etc. Take a look on setting up a QT in the forum.

how is fish going to acclimate or quarantine in the sump? OP wants help with aggression. That is what an acclamation box is for.

 

[Milliganj]

how is fish going to acclimate or quarantine in the sump?

It's not. The question was to stop fighting and chasing. The answer to that is to remove the fish for a period of time then to replace it into the DT. There is no requirement for acclimation. The suggestion of a QT is because the OP doesn't have a second tank and maybe doesn't have a sump.

 

[62518161]

It's not. The question was to stop fighting and chasing. The answer to that is to remove the fish for a period of time then to replace it into the DT. There is no requirement for acclimation. The suggestion of a QT is because the OP doesn't have a second tank and maybe doesn't have a sump.

Copied from google.
Acclimation boxes are great for acclimating new fish to their new environment. These boxes give your new fish a safe place while your existing fish get accustomed to the new fish. These are great to keep bullying to a minimum. The box can also be used as an in tank refugium for aquariums as well

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would return the firefish, because clowns have the potential to be territorial and mean, and sounds like thats what you have, and also becuase even if they weren't aggressive, the firefish would likely be aggressive amongst themselves. There are many posts about peeps trying 3 firefish, they often end up dwindling down to 2 or 1.

Its a smallish tank, not enough space for them all to be happy. Leaving them in means taking a chance the fish will get stressed and end up coming down with diseases to infect your whole tank.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Welcome to the forum!
I’d return the firefish as well. 20 gallons is not a lot of space, and is easily claimed by a clown pair. Other open water fish like firefish are targets in small tanks. Safest bet is to look into fish that stay close to the sand and rocks like clown gobies or shrimp gobies.