Clownfish Biting

[ghartman1234]

My female clownfish will not stop nipping me everytime I put my hand in the tank for maintenance or coral management. She would surprise nibble me and scare me but now she for real bit me. Usually I take her out of the tank temporarily for this but she’s now learned to hide where I can’t reach her with the net. Any tips?

 

[Hemmdog]

She’s defending her home. Wear gloves.

 

[Snuffy The Seal]

My female clownfish will not stop nipping me everytime I put my hand in the tank for maintenance or coral management. She would surprise nibble me and scare me but now she for real bit me. Usually I take her out of the tank temporarily for this but she’s now learned to hide where I can’t reach her with the net. Any tips?

Clowns are part of the damsel family, so do expect for them to be aggressive. Wear gloves and don't stress the fish further by switching in and out of tanks, and keep in mind you are intruding on the fishes perceived territory.

 

[Mr Fishface]

The clownfish I have had for almost 4 years has done this same thing since day 1. Not really much to do, just be aware that your hand will get bit everytime you reach in. I have never had my clown draw blood and he has bit me pretty good before. If you were really worried just wear some gloves when you reach in. Even the thin food type gloves would help I'm sure.

 

[Nick Steele]

Yeah nothing to do really it’s in their nature. Some are more aggressive then others and it even depends within species. Big clowns like maroons, clakii and tomato’s are usually much more agreesive then say ocellaris or percs IME.

 

[ghartman1234]

Yeah nothing to do really it’s in their nature. Some are more aggressive then others and it even depends within species. Big clowns like maroons, clakii and tomato’s are usually much more agreesive then say ocellaris or percs IME.

I just have a pair of black & whites. They just paired up about a month or two ago.

 

[JoshO]

Mines only a juvenile and that still has a go at my hand when I'm doing maintenance. Have to agree with the comments, imagine if a bit hand was reaching through your ceiling and moving your sofa round...although if they were cleaning my apartment I wouldn't be so bothered by it but hey I don't think the fish think that way!

 

[DeniseAndy]

Yep, only fish to ever bite me and draw blood. Not much, but some. Just doing what they do. Wear thick gloves and deal. As stated above, you are in their territory.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Besides gloves, you can also add a diving toy when doing maintenance. With luck the clowns will bite him instead. If not film the diver and clowns, and later add some jaws music.

Da da, da da, na da da,

 

[SDK]

Aquarium Safety Equiptment & Supplies

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[H3rm1tCr@b]

Eh mine did the same; until I gave her back to the LFS. Ha! Back to the store tank with you.