Clownfish hostility to blenny

[Nanolifeuk]

I’ve had a tailspot blenny for nearly a week in my fluval evo. Been living peacefully along side my clowns until tonight.

blenny is attempting to chomp GHA, around the back wall (where clownfish host.) every time he goes- female clown charges.

I really don’t want it to get bit, but the blenny keeps trying to go for this algae. It doesn’t look afraid of the clown (or even bothered) but the clown keeps trying to bite.

 

[blaxsun]

I had the same issue with a bicolor chromis that refused to leave this one coral near the anemone that the clownfish host. The female eventually killed it, so I don't think things bode well for the blenny if it persists.

 

[Rtaylor]

Clowns are territorial and a 13 gallon tank doesn’t leave room for creating separate territories. It’s unlikely that the behavior will change in such a small environment. A pair of clowns is really the max for this size tank.

 

[Nanolifeuk]

Clowns are territorial and a 13 gallon tank doesn’t leave room for creating separate territories. It’s unlikely that the behavior will change in such a small environment. A pair of clowns is really the max for this size tank.

I had a royal gramma that lived for nearly a year in peace with them. It did however disappear one day

 

[Rtaylor]

I had a royal gramma that lived for nearly a year in peace with them. It did however disappear one day

Clowns become more aggressive as they become sexually mature (which is around 2 years of age). It’s likely they will no longer allow other fish in their territory.

 

[Nanolifeuk]

30 minutes since posting, blenny has a minor bite on top fin and he is STILL going for the back wall GHA.

I’m gonna see how things are doing tomorrow and may have to return it if continuing

 

[Rtaylor]

30 minutes since posting, blenny has a minor bite on top fin and he is STILL going for the back wall GHA.

I’m gonna see how things are doing tomorrow and may have to return it if continuing

Maybe offer the blenny some sheet algae away from the clowns to deter it from going to that area. It would likely be a temporary solution, but could help keep it safe for now.

 

[TheTruTaric]

If you can create caves for it where it can get away, often i say clowns are last to go in a small tank. some unorthodox methods i have seen include simply taking the clown out of the tank and putting them back in. changing the scape entirely also can help. i have just come to the realization my clowns are A** holes and i accept them for that

 

[MtnDewMan]

Rule about clown fish: they really aren't nice fish

 

[OfficeReefer]

You can always try removing your clownfish and reintroducing them. It might work but I do suspect your blenny will get the ghost otherwise.

 

[Nanolifeuk]

Just as an update couple days later. The clown and blenny are living peacefully. Every now and again it attempts to reach the back wall GSP.

i think it was very much a ‘F around and find out’ type of situation. I’m not sure of the brain power of blennies, but he seems to be getting the hint not to go up there.

This weekend I will manually scrape as much GHA as possible (it likes to prevail). My logic : If it’s not there blenny won’t attempt to go up.
Thanks everyone

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

How is it unorthodox to change a rock scape up to lessen aggression? I agree about the small tank with 3 fish.
D