Clownfish - Expensive Lesson Learned

[Multiham]

Started my first saltwater tank 2 years ago. Finally felt that I had learned enough, experienced enough to buy a couple of "expensive" fish for my newer Deep Blue Rimless tank. Had read everything I could find on designer clownfish and decided to purchase a Wyoming White and a Phantom Clownfish. They were going to be the only 2 fish in the tank. Asked lots of questions and based on responses ordered a large Wyoming White and a medium Phantom. The fish I received looked to be in perfect health, BUT they looked to be the same size (exactly what I didn't want). I got in touch with the source of the fish explaining my concern and was told that everything would be fine. There may be some small skirmishes and a little lip locking but there should be nothing to worry about. I went along with this advice and noticed some aggression, but it would quickly stop and there was no damage to either fish. Came home from work on Thursday and could only find the Wyoming White. Carefully looked into the rock work and all around and couldn't find the Phantom. Think many of you know where this is going. Unfortunately, I looked behind my tank and there was my Phantom dead on the floor. Needless to say, I was very sad.

I take 100% responsibility for this action. I should have gone with my gut and insisted on returning one of the fish to get a smaller (or larger) one. Only reason I'm writing this is as a little educational piece on why it's not only important to carefully research your intended purchases, but also to FOLLOW the recommendations.

I'm going to save my money to buy another (much smaller) Phantom in the coming months.

 

[birdsnest]

Ouch sorry for the bad luck and thanks for the educational story. I followed the advice of the LFS and got three yellow tangs, on the advice they would be fine and get along great with one another. One took the dominant role and picked the other two to death. I bought one YT for the price of 3. I feel your pain.

 

[Ozzy]

Sorry to hear that. My LFS here actually orders SA Designer Clowns so I was able to pick my choice for sizes. Not sure if you have a LFS that can order them in. That could also be an option so you can actually see the size of the clown before hand. I know the feeling though I have had a few fish decide to carpet surf due to another fishes aggression. Good luck on your next buy!

 

[_Alex_]

Make a screen top for it. You can silicone in pieces o acrylic in the corners to set it down in so not sitting on top of the tank. I have had 3 clowns jump and was after being mated up with my female for several months. So I have tops on all my tanks now after loosing wrasses to. But sorry to hear the loss it does suck


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[Living Reef Orlando Verified Sponsor]

We here at Living Reef Orlando have faced similar concerns in the past. This is what we came up with.

 

[-Logzor]

This was more of an issue about not having a top on the tank rather than clownfish aggression. If a few short days they would have been fine and become good friends.

You can make an inset screen top using a BRS screen kit or hardware store screen kit.

 

[Multiham]

This was more of an issue about not having a top on the tank rather than clownfish aggression. If a few short days they would have been fine and become good friends.

You can make an inset screen top using a BRS screen kit or hardware store screen kit.

I agree to a point. From everything I have read, you should do your best to minimize the aggression by having different size clownfish. Will I build a top - Yes I will. Will I ever except 2 of the same size fish when the vendor even says that is not a good idea before I ordered - No!

 

[ohio reefer]

I've had clowns that were the same size fight for 2-3 Days. If you had a top I have a feeling they'd be fine now. Clowns will fight but they would work it out.


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[Multiham]

I agree with you on the top. As I said in my first post, I'm taking full responsibility. There is no one to blame for this other than myself. All I am saying is that the 2 suppliers I talked to before purchasing both told me to make sure that I ordered different size clownfish to minimize the aggressiveness. I followed this advice, paying more for the larger one. When they came and they were both the same size, I should have not accepted this. Could the jumping have happened even if they were 2 different sizes - YES. Should I have stood up and said that we agreed 2 different sizes were the best option for a smooth transition -YES. My only point was if you go to all the trouble and spend the time to get information and recommendations on sizes (etc), than listen to it.

 

[ohio reefer]

I agree with you on the top. As I said in my first post, I'm taking full responsibility. There is no one to blame for this other than myself. All I am saying is that the 2 suppliers I talked to before purchasing both told me to make sure that I ordered different size clownfish to minimize the aggressiveness. I followed this advice, paying more for the larger one. When they came and they were both the same size, I should have not accepted this. Could the jumping have happened even if they were 2 different sizes - YES. Should I have stood up and said that we agreed 2 different sizes were the best option for a smooth transition -YES. My only point was if you go to all the trouble and spend the time to get information and recommendations on sizes (etc), than listen to it.

Completely agree. The supplier should of provided you with the larger clown you paid for too. And it wasn't really your fault, myself included would of thought they'd work it out


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[Liquid360]

It can be hard sometime to write posts like this admitting your mistake, not because of pride but because you'll find yourself continually saying "no, yeah I'm saying it was my bad" more often than you'd like. These "rules to go by" are just as often wrong as they are right. The awful truth is that there are no rules. It's absolutely no different than trying to make rules concerning human behavior. You can't because every individual is unique. It's no different here. It seems logical to follow "basic guidelines". It isn't. Unique situations will forever and always present themselves. The odds on your clowns getting along or jumping are equal on both sides.

 

[Ozzy]

It can be hard sometime to write posts like this admitting your mistake, not because of pride but because you'll find yourself continually saying "no, yeah I'm saying it was my bad" more often than you'd like. These "rules to go by" are just as often wrong as they are right. The awful truth is that there are no rules. It's absolutely no different than trying to make rules concerning human behavior. You can't because every individual is unique. It's no different here. It seems logical to follow "basic guidelines". It isn't. Unique situations will forever and always present themselves. The odds on your clowns getting along or jumping are equal on both sides.

Very true.

 

[Multiham]

What I find to be so ironic here is that I have 2 other tanks. A 28 gallon Nano Cube (Topless), and a 12 Gallon JBJ (also topless). Both of these tanks have Clownfish in them. Of course the most expensive Clownfish I have in these tanks cost me $16. I've had a pair in the 28 Gallon tank for over 2 years and have never had a problem with jumping. I finally spend what I think is a lot for these fish, and one jumps out of the tank!

 

[Liquid360]

This is exactly my point. No rules. The take away here isn't that you made a mistake, although it can seem as such. The take away is S*** Happens.

What I find to be so ironic here is that I have 2 other tanks. A 28 gallon Nano Cube (Topless), and a 12 Gallon JBJ (also topless). Both of these tanks have Clownfish in them. Of course the most expensive Clownfish I have in these tanks cost me $16. I've had a pair in the 28 Gallon tank for over 2 years and have never had a problem with jumping. I finally spend what I think is a lot for these fish, and one jumps out of the tank!

 

[ohio reefer]

This is exactly my point. No rules. The take away here isn't that you made a mistake, although it can seem as such. The take away is S*** Happens.

Couldn't of said it better


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