Clownfish Behavior Question

DraggingTail · Sep 10, 2018

Got two clowns after reading that they are likely to bond if added together.

After 2 days the larger of the two is very active. The other stays in the lower right corner of the tank. The active one keeps going over to it and swimming around it and brushing into it. Almost seems like the active fish is trying to coax the other one out. The lighter colored one is the active fish.

Is this normal?

Is the active one being a bully?

Is there something wrong with the inactive fish?

Thanks for your opinions and help.

mta_morrow · Sep 10, 2018

I would give things a few more days to get sorted out.

They are still pretty stressed.

Clown rule #1 - clowns are weird and do weird things.

Clown rule #2 - see rule #1

Give them a couple more days and check back in.

There is nothing to be concerned about with their current behavior.

Did you QT? Any signs of disease?

Geebs19 · Sep 10, 2018

Agree with the above, clowns do weird things. I just got a pair is misbars that are in qt, going on a little over 3 weeks now I think, or 4. Anyways they are just establishing dominance. My bigger one always chases the little one into the corner, but doesn’t beat him up, just letting the little one know who’s boss. I’m sure overtime they will be the best of friends.

DraggingTail · Sep 10, 2018

mta_morrow said:
I would give things a few more days to get sorted out.

They are still pretty stressed.

Clown rule #1 - clowns are weird and do weird things.

Clown rule #2 - see rule #1

Give them a couple more days and check back in.

There is nothing to be concerned about with their current behavior.

Did you QT? Any signs of disease?

I don't have a QT. I drip acclimated for 4 hours and added .1 ml prime. The LFS said they are healthy and that they treat them when they come in......

DraggingTail · Sep 10, 2018

mta_morrow said:
I would give things a few more days to get sorted out.

They are still pretty stressed.

Clown rule #1 - clowns are weird and do weird things.

Clown rule #2 - see rule #1

Give them a couple more days and check back in.

There is nothing to be concerned about with their current behavior.

Did you QT? Any signs of disease?

I am so green I don't know what disease looks like.

mta_morrow · Sep 10, 2018

DraggingTail said:
I am so green I don't know what disease looks like.

Ok! We were all green! I’m more or less purple now.

Jump over to the disease forum and read thru some of the sticky’s.

It’s good to become familiar with the diseases you may encounter.

Brook, velvet, and ich are the big 3 you want to read up on and watch for.

DraggingTail · Sep 10, 2018

I have 30 gallon tank I could use someone could help me with what I need for quarantine

mta_morrow · Sep 10, 2018

DraggingTail said:
I don't have a QT. I drip acclimated for 4 hours and added .1 ml prime. The LFS said they are healthy and that they treat them when they come in......

Heads up, I don’t think any LFS quarantines. At least none I have read about.

They mostly all say they “treat” which means nothing.

Just my 2 cents.

Geebs19 · Sep 10, 2018

DraggingTail said:
I have 30 gallon tank I could use someone could help me with what I need for quarantine

Pretty simple. Tank, I use a HOB filter, could use a sponge filter, heater. I also threw a cheap $10 amazon power head in mine. Get a Seachem ammonia alert badge to hang inside.

DraggingTail · Sep 10, 2018

mta_morrow said:
Ok! We were all green! I’m more or less purple now.

Jump over to the disease forum and read thru some of the sticky’s.

It’s good to become familiar with the diseases you may encounter.

Brook, velvet, and ich are the big 3 you want to read up on and watch for.

Does it look like the fish is breathing fast?

DraggingTail · Sep 10, 2018

I wonder if the current is too strong? Is 800 power head too much for 55 gallon?

mta_morrow · Sep 10, 2018

Looks normal to me.

mta_morrow · Sep 10, 2018

I’m not sure what an 800 is. Can you provide a whole pic of your tank so I can see the power head?

DraggingTail · Sep 10, 2018

mta_morrow said:
Looks normal to me.

Thanks. I am probably just stressing too much since all my Chromis died.

mta_morrow · Sep 10, 2018

Chromis do not seem to have a good track record. Try just 1 instead of a group. Have your LFS feed them for you and look for one that goes for all the food.

Geebs19 · Sep 10, 2018

800gph should be fine for a 55. I have a 550 in my 20 gallon qt. The fish in the video look fine to me.

Dom · Sep 10, 2018

Dom · Sep 10, 2018

DraggingTail said:
I don't have a QT. I drip acclimated for 4 hours and added .1 ml prime. The LFS said they are healthy and that they treat them when they come in......

Ahhhh!!!! ;Woot

Let the local fish store (LFS) earn your trust. More than half of the LFS's i've visited since getting in this hobby have told me what I wanted to hear juts to get the sale. Hard to find an ethical fish store.

ArowanaLover1902 · Sep 12, 2018

Clownfish aggression in this case is normal, as all clownfish are born male, the female is the dominant one. As the female will reproduce with more males, spreading more of her genes, everyone wants to be the girl. What you have is what is known as a TM (transitional male), he is asserting dominance to secure his place as the female. He will soon be bigger than the other and be a MF (mature female).

DraggingTail · Sep 12, 2018

ArowanaLover1902 said:
Clownfish aggression in this case is normal, as all clownfish are born male, the female is the dominant one. As the female will reproduce with more males, spreading more of her genes, everyone wants to be the girl. What you have is what is known as a TM (transitional male), he is asserting dominance to secure his place as the female. He will soon be bigger than the other and be a MF (mature female).

Well, they are still alive. So I am happy. Have not seen the smaller one eat much though. I do think the smaller one has been eating algae if that is normal