I have a pair of clownfish that have been the only fish in my tank for about going on half a year I added a royal gramma about a week ago and one morning when I look at the tank i see him dead and tattered looking... I believe my hermits were eating on him but what I would like to know is if my larger clown might've killed it as she is kind of aggressive... She will bite me if I stick my hand in without any gloves....
Do my clownfish own my tank?
- Thread starter reefaman
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eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
It is highly likely that the female clown killed the gramma.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
Larger fish likely won't help too much. Clowns are known for their fearlessness in going after larger threats.
A six line wrasse is a suggestion, they have attitude, don't go hide in substrate and in my experience seem to do good with clowns. I have a Clarkii's set and she killed everything entering the tank, even attacks new corals. The six line I was told to add had no problem and actually hangs with my Clarkii's during the day
jsker
Reefing is all about the adventure
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What kind of tank do you have? Mixed reef, Fowler, or just a fish tank? this will make a difference in what fish you want to add to your tank.
Brian Kim
Color My Reef
but they can be as bad as those clown fish lol
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
What species of clowns do you have? A 75 should have plenty of room for more fish. A few that should work would include firefish, a small group of scissortail or zebra dartfish, flasher and fairy wrasse, small species of Halichoeres wrasses, watchman goby, midas blenny. Once there are a few fish in there any new fish should be less of a target to the clowns.
I would advise against a sixline wrasse. They tend to get aggressive and will limit additions in the future.
I would advise against a sixline wrasse. They tend to get aggressive and will limit additions in the future.
MRRBW
Active Member
I have a maroon that's been a little bit of a bully for years in my 60. I've added smaller fish slowly over the years and it's gone okay. My gramma was chased at first but had found several places in the rock to seek refuge. Now with more fish the aggression is spread around that it is almost none existent now. The other thing which made a big difference for me was adding an anemone for the clown. He does his best to stick by it ever since and that reduced the aggression even more. For your gramma - it may have been something else, they are pretty tough fish
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I had a pair of clowns that took over my 210g because they were the only fish in there for a while. Had to get rid of them to a nice home to breed since I wanted more fish. 
They can be very territorial and mean.
When you add new fish, you may want to remove the clowns temporarily to a holding tank. Then maybe rework some rocks. Then when the other fish settle, add them back in.
I would definitely go with the ones they do not usually bother like firefish, flame or fairy wrasses (provided you have lid), dartfish, gobies, blenny.
They can be very territorial and mean.When you add new fish, you may want to remove the clowns temporarily to a holding tank. Then maybe rework some rocks. Then when the other fish settle, add them back in.
I would definitely go with the ones they do not usually bother like firefish, flame or fairy wrasses (provided you have lid), dartfish, gobies, blenny.
Luka
Active Member
I had a pair the female bullied the male he would have new wounds everyday. I got rid of em traded them to my LFS if you want free reign to add fish I would do the same. And if you want clowns in the future add them later on when the tank has some other fish. Or add smaller clowns. Also add them with an anemone so they can host it. Once clowns have an anemone they seem to cool off.
