Clownfish harassing firefish

[AquariumDani]

Hello,

I have a pair of Onyx Clownfish. I've read the bigger fish is the female and are more aggressive. In this case, my small clownfish is aggressive and hates my firefish. When my firefish is out looking for food, my small clown will chase it away. The bigger clown is fun and just chills and does funny things and my firefish is comfortable around this one. The small one is honestly an *******. Could the small one be a female? The small one also nips at the firefish and when I came home from work the firefish's tail was very much eaten. It was fine in the morning. The firefish now just hides under my live rock and occasionally swims around but always on the opposite side of my small clownfish.

Suggestions?

 

[Big G]

Clownfish can be real jerks at times and the Onyx is commonly listed as "semi-aggresive" by many vendors. Sounds like you might want to consider re-homing the Firefish to save it.

 

[Gareth elliott]

You could try increasing frequency of feeding. Non conspecific aggression is often food aggression. Sometimes you can decrease this by feeding the same amount but over 2 to 3 feedings over the day. An auto feeder will help with this. As ime both clowns and firefish will take dry food.
Is your a tank a 20g long or tall?

 

[AquariumDani]

I assume it would be classed as tall since it’s not long. it’s mkre of a square.
i’m buying lights and powerheads this weekend so i’ll look into a feeder too, if this doesn’t help then i’ll talk to the LFS about taking the firefish back without refund. i want the best for him

 

[Katrina71]

You could try moving your scape around and see if that helps too.

 

[jabberwock]

Hmmmm. My clownfish killed my firefish. It went from normal to def con 4 in the space of 2 hours. If you are seeing aggressive behavior in a small tank like that, I would separate them.

 

[AquariumDani]

Hmmmm. My clownfish killed my firefish. It went from normal to def con 4 in the space of 2 hours. If you are seeing aggressive behavior in a small tank like that, I would separate them.

:O my mouth dropped irl. my LFS doesn’t open until Thursday, but i’ll probably bring him back then.

 

[AquariumDani]

I did so much research on what can go in my 20 gallon tank only to find out clowns aren't truly compatible with firefish?

 

[Big G]

Some species of clowns are more peaceful than others. I have an Ocellaris ORA captive bred in my 90 with a pair of Firefish and they get along just fine.

 

[jabberwock]

In the meantime, feed a little extra. Fat fish are less aggressive. My clowns are ORA Darwin Ocellaris. A 20 gallon tank is just pretty small. Smaller tanks tends to ramp things up. Mine is a 32 gallon.

 

[davocean]

I did so much research on what can go in my 20 gallon tank only to find out clowns aren't truly compatible with firefish?

I've never heard that, and I have firefish w/ clowns all the time, have one now.

I also doubt the smaller is female, otherwise the clowns themselves would fight.

More likely it's a space issue, clowns are territorial, 20g tank they often will take over that space.

Maybe rehome firefish and if you want to add one other fish a damsel maybe, they can hold their own better than a firefish.