How much chasing is too much?

allabout · Nov 16, 2012

I know a lot of you have multiple clowns together. When do you decide it's time to remove one? I have an onyx picasso and a snowflake together. They are close to the same size - at first they seemed fine, swam together all the time etc. Now there's a lot of battling for domination with the snowflake being the much more aggressive one. It has evicted the onyx from the anemone and chases it a lot. The only damage I've seen was on the onyx's mouth but it is healed up already it seems. I know to expect some back and forth between them but when do you guys decide it's time to get one out?

bobbyM · Nov 16, 2012

IMO When you have ask this question. That's too much chasing. Maybe that is why "this" clown fish is single. lol

Wesley42079 · Nov 16, 2012

I agree. If you took the time to create a thread, then you know the xhasing is too much.

Do what you can to minimize it.

MarvinsReef · Nov 16, 2012

I say let them work it out. as long as the other is able to eat and recover and no open wounds, they should work it out. it does look really bad sometimes when they are working it out. once they get it situated, they'll both hang out in the nem like nothing happened. good luck.

btw, how big are they and hopefully you got them when they were still juvi's and none has developed a sex yet to have a better chance of having a pair.

mainereefer · Nov 16, 2012

I agree unless it the clown is beat up really bad let them work it out.
if they were swimming and playing nice I wouldnt worrie about having 2 females thats when it gets bad

10galclowns · Nov 16, 2012

Iv had 2 females and it was nuts!

allabout · Nov 16, 2012

Ok I made a quick video to show exactly what's going on. This is pretty much how it is any time the lights are on since about Monday or Tuesday.

[video=youtube;1XzmR_vNByc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XzmR_vNByc&feature=youtu.be[/video]

You might be able to tell, the onyx's mouth looks hurt again now, not sure when that happened. They are about maybe 1.5" or so, both eating well. Would appreciate some more thoughts after seeing the video for reference. Thanks so much!

Jovreefer · Nov 16, 2012

Oh leave them! See that sideways twitchy thing he keeps doing? That is showing submissivness which is a pretty good sign you have a male and a female there (or soon to be). When he twitches she stops chasing him which is what you want to see.

Unless he looks really beat up and has labored breathing let them work it out.

emerald525 · Nov 16, 2012

Thanks for the video I never grow tired of watching clownfish behavior. I agree with leaving them to work it out. The twitching is just some sign of submission and the female backs off so that's a very good sign. I have 8 clownfish in my tank and have had them for over a year and still see this behavior from time to time. It's kind of like a married couple working out their differences LOL!

allabout · Nov 16, 2012

Ok cool, yeah I knew the twitching on their side thing was a good sign. Maybe I'm more stressed about it than they are lol. But I'll keep an eye on them and make sure it doesn't get too rough, thanks everyone!

MarvinsReef · Nov 16, 2012

Just agreeing on what's already said above. Just keep your eye out on them. As long as both are eating well, I think they're get through it.

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Trex · Nov 16, 2012

Make sure that your top is covered -- the male could jump while being chased.

Does this happen all the time? Sure the male is submitting, but the female doesn't seem to care all that much. If things don't improve within a week, or get worse, I would strongly consider pulling one of them.

allabout · Nov 17, 2012

Yeah the top is covered. I have a firefish and a while back had a wrasse so I made a cover that I still use.

Yes it does happen pretty much all the time, which is why I was concerned. I'm definitely willing to let them try to work it out but I'm not willing to let the snowflake beat up on the onyx. The onyx was one I basically picked from a lot of pictures and videos I looked at. The snowflake was sort of secondary, so I like them both, but the onyx is my favorite.

I'll definitely keep watching and make sure he doesn't look too stressed and if so then I guess I'll try to move the snowflake. Thanks again!