Fighting clownfish. Separating them.

Afrashz

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So I've had 2 similar sized clownfish since I set up my tank about 5 or so months ago. For the first 4.5 months everything was great; they were getting along well and both looked vibrant and healthy. However as of late things have really changed. One of the clown fish has begun to seriously bully the other. To the point where he's chasing him down, biting onto one of his fins and pulling him across the tank. Im assuming this is not normal behavior? As a result the one clownfish has been hiding in small crevices in the rock and has become much more skinny than the other and is starting to become pale. In a panic I separated them using this small breeding box I had from a fresh water setup. Am I going about this correctly? and if I am how long do you guys think I can keep the unhealthy looking clown in here until he starts to look better. Please let me know what you guys think as I really don't want to have to give up either of this fish! Thanks.

IMG_0684.jpg
 
Put the female bully in the breeder box instead of the male and let the male swim freely in the tank so he can heal faster. By keeping the male in the breeder, and female free she will soon be territorial and as soon as you free the male she will probably kill him.
 
Put the female bully in the breeder box instead of the male and let the male swim freely in the tank so he can heal faster. By keeping the male in the breeder, and female free she will soon be territorial and as soon as you free the male she will probably kill him.
Good point I didn't think of that. How long do you suggest I keep them separate. The breeder isn't very big and I don't wanna stress them in there tot he point of death..
 
2-3 days monitor the female. The female will probably be looking at the male trying to follow him. Make sure your male is healing and eating hoping his color is coming back. The longer you can keep her in the breeder the better. When you decide to release her, keep your eye on her. If she start to abuse him, you will need to pull the male out, and get a much smaller clownfish. Good luck
 
Hopefully you do have a male/female, what size were they at purchase?
I would assume 5mo together meant all is well on that, maybe.
Sometimes when the female is maturing they can get get really weird just before they really pair up and spawn, hard to know w/out knowing age and size for sure
 
As you go to reintroduce the female once you swap them around place a mirror by one side of the tank, if she's still feeling feisty she'll wear herself out on that mirror and possibly give the male a bit of relief
 
So I've had 2 similar sized clownfish since I set up my tank about 5 or so months ago. For the first 4.5 months everything was great; they were getting along well and both looked vibrant and healthy. However as of late things have really changed. One of the clown fish has begun to seriously bully the other. To the point where he's chasing him down, biting onto one of his fins and pulling him across the tank. Im assuming this is not normal behavior? As a result the one clownfish has been hiding in small crevices in the rock and has become much more skinny than the other and is starting to become pale. In a panic I separated them using this small breeding box I had from a fresh water setup. Am I going about this correctly? and if I am how long do you guys think I can keep the unhealthy looking clown in here until he starts to look better. Please let me know what you guys think as I really don't want to have to give up either of this fish! Thanks.

IMG_0684.jpg
The black clip in the picture will rust quickly.
 
Hopefully you do have a male/female, what size were they at purchase?
I would assume 5mo together meant all is well on that, maybe.
Sometimes when the female is maturing they can get get really weird just before they really pair up and spawn, hard to know w/out knowing age and size for sure

They were both very small at purchase, maybe inch and a half max.... but pretty much the same size
 
As you go to reintroduce the female once you swap them around place a mirror by one side of the tank, if she's still feeling feisty she'll wear herself out on that mirror and possibly give the male a bit of relief

Interesting idea, I’ll give it a shot!
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%

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