Clownfish fight over sea anemone

[kyleflahardy]

I had one sea anemone and one clownfish until the sea anemone died (which has been all sorted out and the problem fixed) so I got a new bubble tipped anemone from the store about a week ago and I also picked up another clownfish (smaller than the one I originally had in the tank). When they finally found there sea anemone the original clownfish started becoming defensive of it and won't let the new guy in who's smaller. Any suggestions to make them share the sea anemone? Thanks

 

[kchapmanjr]

Time. The larger of the two will morph to a female if it isn't already female and the two should bond. The larger clown will always be the dominant fish though. In fact they can become quite a terror in a tank as they grow. Just give it some time and everything should naturally work itself out.

 

[JustAnt]

I have the same thing going on. One clown chases other clown out of my rose bta

 

[LanM]

Old thread, but experiencing the same thing for the first time.

My lightning maroon hosted the anemone first, and my davinci had no interest. The davinci died (heater accident), and the new davinci is largr than the lightning.

Today I found them fighting over the bta. The anemone actually moved, and now appears to be hiding/partially hidden. The lightning seems to be desperately trying to get it to come out, brought it food earlier, keeps laying on it.

The davinci is pestering the lightning for a spot. I hope they work it out.

 

[MSOEME2009]

The clown/nem forum has a lot of good insight to this. Seems to be a male/female problem where the female usually wins. If one of the pairs dies, it seems like there are issues with new mates too. Know any good fish therapists?