How to get clownfish to stop biting me

Reefer Matt · Nov 28, 2023

Try some nitrile gloves. It may still bite, but offer some protection. Or use tongs instead of hands.

kevgib67 · Nov 28, 2023

Set a bottle of tartar sauce and malt vinegar next to the tank where they can see it before putting your hand in the tank.

littlefoxx · Nov 28, 2023

At least its your hand! I had one jump out of the water and bite my forehead

Troylee · Nov 28, 2023

Reefer Matt said:
Try some nitrile gloves. It may still bite, but offer some protection. Or use tongs instead of hands.

I did this yesterday and it actually worked! I think because my net is black and it knows I’ll cage it to do what I gotta do it learned.. I wore a black nitrile glove counting on getting bit when I grabbed a torch next to nem to move it and my clown didn’t bother me for once! Didn’t care at all..

rhitee93 · Nov 28, 2023

A nice tessellated eel might keep the clownfish under control. If nothing else, it may make you not mind so much when it is just the clownfish biting you

Readywriter · Nov 28, 2023

Before I got out of the hobby 15 years ago I owned several tanks and worked at 2 top quality lfs's. I never so much as heard of clowns attacking their owner. First live rock now this? What did you guys do to the hobby while I was gone?!

ColoredRock · Nov 28, 2023

docdubz said:
Before I got out of the hobby 15 years ago I owned several tanks and worked at 2 top quality lfs's. I never so much as heard of clowns attacking their owner. First live rock now this? What did you guys do to the hobby while I was gone?!

Depends on the species. Maroons are a pain in the butt err hand.. mine would always go for the web between the thumb and index finger. The 4 designer clowns in my current tank (280) just look for food weather I am inside the tank or walking by

melonheadorion · Nov 28, 2023

docdubz said:
Before I got out of the hobby 15 years ago I owned several tanks and worked at 2 top quality lfs's. I never so much as heard of clowns attacking their owner. First live rock now this? What did you guys do to the hobby while I was gone?!

i only have one that does it. all of my others dont. i have a total of 4, but only 2 of them are kept together. the other two arent paired any longer so i had to seperate them. the ones that are paired, the male is the one that attacks, but isnt constant. hes not like a piranha, but he will come after my hand, most likely defending territory if im near it

Homebrewer · Nov 28, 2023

Troylee said:
I did this yesterday and it actually worked! I think because my net is black and it knows I’ll cage it to do what I gotta do it learned.. I wore a black nitrile glove counting on getting bit when I grabbed a torch next to nem to move it and my clown didn’t bother me for once! Didn’t care at all..

Yup, black nitrile gloves (get at Home Depot painting section) and you’ll be left alone! I have a pair of 17 y/o cinnamon clowns and the female can make my hand bleed. Those gloves on and she won’t come near me.

Floyd- · Nov 28, 2023

Agreed with the gloves! Mine would not bite with gloves on either. Without its a nibble fest the entire time my hand is in the water.

Zerodameaon · Nov 28, 2023

Just bleed into the water more so it can't see your hand...

Joking aside, I gotta try this glove thing. I tried the whole "Just ignore it and it will stop" thing and it didn't work with mine. She has now started to try to get at my hand above the tank, she splashed me in the face the other day.

TX_REEF · Nov 28, 2023

yellow tang lover said:
does anybody know how to get my clown fish to stop biting me

have you tried asking them nicely?

Cichlid Dad · Nov 28, 2023

littlefoxx said:
At least its your hand! I had one jump out of the water and bite my forehead

KenRexford · Nov 28, 2023

ColoredRock said:
Depends on the species. Maroons are a pain in the butt err hand.. mine would always go for the web between the thumb and index finger. The 4 designer clowns in my current tank (280) just look for food weather I am inside the tank or walking by

What are you doing with your maroons?!?!!