Clownfish got bitten by another clownfish

[KristinaY]

Hi there,

We added a new extreme misbar Black ocellaris to our tank last night. We already have 3 orange ocellaris clownfish, two small and one bigger. The black one is quite big compared to the other 3.
She kept trying to attack all 3 of them last night, I put it down to asserting her place in the tank so thought I’d wait and see how they are in the morning. She has now calmed down with the two smaller ones and swims fine around them, however she is still bullying the larger one. He keeps hiding in the back corner behind the rocks and every time he tries to poke out she goes to attack him.

He finally came out for a bit and I was able to see that he had one bite mark on his body and a tiny bit of his back fin missing.

I have removed the black one and put him in a separate tank for now.

I’m new to having aquariums and am still learning! My husband bought this fish only reading up after how different types of clownfish don’t get on!

Do I give her away? Or will she eventually calm down? Try again tomorrow??

My main concern right now is, will be orange clownfish be ok??? Do I need to do anything to treat his bite mark?? He’s still hiding in the corner after I’ve taken the other one out..

 

[James M]

How big is your tank ?
There should only be 2 clowns in a tank unless you have a large enough tank where both pairs can be on one side

 

[KristinaY]

How big is your tank ?
There should only be 2 clowns in a tank unless you have a large enough tank where both pairs can be on one side

It’s an 80 gallon tank so quite large

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Two per tank as stated above, even in an 80 I wouldn't risk it.

 

[KristinaY]

We’ve had 3 and they’ve been fine. However if that’s the case 4 was probably pushing it.
He’s finally come out from hiding and is swimming around happily again. But is there anything I need to do or can do to help with his bite mark? Is it a risk of getting infected?

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Isolate the fish if he is still getting picked on. Vitachem and/or Melafix can be used to help with wounds but the slime coat is strong enough to just let them be and nipped fins can heal up pretty quick.

If you can isolate the smallest from the original three in a smaller tank and but the new clown in a breeder box you can try but other clown experts would need to weigh in on if its a good idea.

 

[Idoc]

More than likely, your 2 smaller clowns were males and the larger one a female boss... then got added another large female boss that got along with the smaller males but was going to take out her other boss competition. One of the larger females will need to be re-homed or one female will kill the other... once a clown converts to female, it doesn't convert back to male.

An 80g isn't large enough for 2 dominant female clowns.

 

[mayday0237]

More than likely, your 2 smaller clowns were males and the larger one a female boss... then got added another large female boss that got along with the smaller males but was going to take out her other boss competition. One of the larger females will need to be re-homed or one female will kill the other... once a clown converts to female, it doesn't convert back to male.

An 80g isn't large enough for 2 dominant female clowns.

+1 agree.
I have 3 on one side and 2 on another side in a 180 but all are occellaris.
The specialty clowns are usually more aggressive than the orange percula or occellaris ime.
U need to give one of the large ones away. They are both likely females.
I would not pull the injured one out. They are incredibly Hardy. SHe will recover with good nutrition. Pulling her out will stress her worse than just feeding her and letting her recover.
Medicating an 80g is also not a great idea it affects good bacteria. It could crash your biofilter.
Vita chem the food about 3 drops on the food to soak

 

[KristinaY]

More than likely, your 2 smaller clowns were males and the larger one a female boss... then got added another large female boss that got along with the smaller males but was going to take out her other boss competition. One of the larger females will need to be re-homed or one female will kill the other... once a clown converts to female, it doesn't convert back to male.

An 80g isn't large enough for 2 dominant female clowns.

This makes sense. I was reading up on it and it all pointed to that tbh. I think we will have to rehome the new one. Sad as she’s a beautiful fish but it would be unfair to rehome the other one. She’s been quite happy so far and well established in the tank. Felt so bad that she was being properly bullied. We’ve grown really attached to them so quickly.

 

[mayday0237]

This goofball thinks a hairy mushroom is her anemone she and her 2 buddies stay away from the other 2
The larger two don't share their nem with anyone

 

[KristinaY]

+1 agree.
I have 3 on one side and 2 on another side in a 180 but all are occellaris.
The specialty clowns are usually more aggressive than the orange percula or occellaris ime.
U need to give one of the large ones away. They are both likely females.
I would not pull the injured one out. They are incredibly Hardy. SHe will recover with good nutrition. Pulling her out will stress her worse than just feeding her and letting her recover.
Medicating an 80g is also not a great idea it affects good bacteria. It could crash your biofilter.
Vita chem the food about 3 drops on the food to soak

Thank you! Will buy some now