Clownfish bullying

[1epauletteshark]

My bigger clownfish suffered a loss as her friend that she had paired with got eaten by a gorilla crab. My anemone has been continuously moving and it might be because of this. My bigger "assumed female" clownfish has been aggressively attacking my new smaller one and I even saw it lock gills this evening. What steps should I take? I would prefer to be able to keep both, any strategies? Should I return the bigger one as she is the only one showing any signs of aggression, or return both and get a new pair that have been kept together? What is the best plan of action in this situation?

 

[1epauletteshark]

They both stay in the anemone but the bigger one is constantly chasing it away and it always comes back

 

[1epauletteshark]

The anemone is even flipping over and its tips are in the sand... anyways that's not the point. Any advice?

 

[1epauletteshark]

Bump
Any ideas at all?

 

[Aaron75]

In cases of extreme aggression, some people use those clip on acclimation boxes and put the bigger (female) in there, kinda like putting a kid in timeout. This will allow the smaller one to get used to the tank and find their spots to hide or escape routes. As far as the anemone, maybe turn down flow to avoid any disasters and just monitor.

 

[1epauletteshark]

In cases of extreme aggression, some people use those clip on acclimation boxes and put the bigger (female) in there, kinda like putting a kid in timeout. This will allow the smaller one to get used to the tank and find their spots to hide or escape routes. As far as the anemone, maybe turn down flow to avoid any disasters and just monitor.

Thanks! Ill turn down flow, the problem with the clown is that they both want the anemone and they both spend all their time in it and if I take the bigger one out the minute she goes back in she will try to chase him out of the anemone.

 

[blksubykid]

Yup. Put my female in an acclimation box for little over a week when I introduced a wrasse. She “tolerates” him now and occasionally chases him away from anyone of the LPS she hosts.

There were times when my female was super aggressive to my male and they were QTed and introduced into the track together (pushing 3 years) she’s especially aggressive during feeding but it seems they worked things out over time. Now they both mean as hell and I can’t put anything in the tank without them going ape crap

 

[1epauletteshark]

Yup. Put my female in an acclimation box for little over a week when I introduced a wrasse. She “tolerates” him now and occasionally chases him away from anyone of the LPS she hosts.

So you recommend that too?

 

[blksubykid]

So you recommend that too?

It’s worth a shot. Clownfish can get pretty aggressive in my experience. Mine both are assh***s

 

[1epauletteshark]

Alright I’ll look into it thanks, any other ideas?

 

[1epauletteshark]

Just got back home and the smaller clown's bottom fins are shredded and it has been exiled from the anemone + looks super depressed. I can only go out to get a quarantine box tomorrow do you think he will be ok till then?

 

[1epauletteshark]

The bigger one is being more aggressive than ever should I just return it when I go tomorrow and get another of the same size?

 

[1epauletteshark]

Bump

 

[1epauletteshark]

They are showing no signs of wanting to pair and the bigger one constantly has its fins flared out as straight as possible

 

[jabberwock]

Just say "No" to clownfish...

 

[1epauletteshark]

Just say "No" to clownfish...

I’m stuck with them now, all I need to do is to get them to stop being so mean.

 

[jabberwock]

I’m stuck with them now, all I need to do is to get them to stop being so mean.

I returned mine.

 

[1epauletteshark]

I returned mine.

My LFS definitely wouldn’t take back the smaller one with wrecked fins

 

[jabberwock]

My LFS definitely wouldn’t take back the smaller one with wrecked fins

Oh, I did not get any money back or store credit...

 

[1epauletteshark]

Oh, I did not get any money back or store credit...

We’re yours in bad condition too?