Help with Lightning Maroon

[reef_ninja]

I’ve got a pair of lightning gold maroons. They came paired and have done very well together. They are our family’s absolute favorite pair. But we’ve noticed the smaller ones fins have been progressively getting more and more frayed. We’ve also noticed the bigger one (she is significantly bigger) is getting more aggressive towards all the fish in general, though we’ve never seen her attack the smaller clownfish.

We’ve had them for about 6 weeks or so, maybe it’s a territory thing? The problem is also that we’ve noticed the smaller clown doesn’t have as much gumption, he lays on the rocks and floats at the top a lot more than he usually does. He perks right up and acts normal when I approach him with my hands, but just bothering to watch him lay on the rocks otherwise. Thoughts?

40 breeder, 20 gallon sump, skimmer, fuge

Trates: 0
Ammonia: 0
Ph: 8.2
Alk: 8.2

 

[fishguy242]

hi watch close,if mama's aggression gets worse ,put her in isolation box for a few days,see what happens,repeat if ness

 

[reef_ninja]

Im wondering if its a territorial thing now. Ive also noticed the last few days that the male has shown more submissive behaviors (like the seizure-shaking). Now hes hiding behind the overflow box. Its just weird because they dont seem aggressive toward each other, I have yet to see her attack him.

 

[fishguy242]

shaking is normal dominance /submission behavior,fin grabbing,lip locking ,is too far,keep close eye on for a few days

 

[reef_ninja]

I’ve got some egg crate I can use to separate big momma from the rest of the group. How many days should I keep her isolated?

 

[fishguy242]

just kinda watch w the eggcrate he will try to go to her watch her actions could be couple days,week or so until she will peacefully accept him

 

[reef_ninja]

Thank you. From what I’ve read so far, your advice seems on par. She may just be trying to keep him in check. I’ll update with how things go.

 

[fishguy242]

sounds great ,they are beautiful

 

[jsker]

Have you considered getting a bubble tip anomie? I have two maroons and they seem to behave better when I have a anomie is the system.

FYI My female kill off two of her mates, before she settled for her current mate of three years.

 

[reef_ninja]

Not yet, I’d love to get one but the tank is only 4 months old and don’t want to move too fast.

But.......they’re behaving normally again this morning. Whatever, clowns are weird. I also noticed he has been changing colors/patterns a little bit, so I wonder if she’s just keeping him in check.

 

[reef_ninja]

Brief update. The love birds are back to normal. Not sure what the deal was, maybe she was just in a mood. So hopefully he'll heal up a bit before she flips out again.

 

[chizerbunoi]

You can put the egg crate in the corner. Then the male will have a safe place to run in and out of when he gets beat up. The male pretty much needs to submit and dance/shake for submission his entire life, or big momma gets upset and puts him in his place.

In the picture, even at that size the male can squeeze through the egg crate square. He runs there and heals up then goes back out. Once they pair and he stays beside her all the time, then I remove it.

 

[reef_ninja]

That's not a bad idea. I may use in the future if things escalate. I think for now she's finally recognized that he's been seizing for a week straight, maybe the message finally got through that he sees Big Mama as the alpha lol

 

[jtf74]

Have you considered getting a bubble tip anomie? I have two maroons and they seem to behave better when I have a anomie is the system.

FYI My female kill off two of her mates, before she settled for her current mate of three years.

Was going to say the same. Have two maroons. Female is a beast. I have ten nems so they each have a place to go. Female and her nine nems were added after the little one was already in with his own anemone. I used a grate to start off but the little one went through it after a few minutes but at least could go back if threatened.