How to stop clown fish aggression

[Fishology]

In the word of squidward form SpongeBob SquarePants “ we have been cheated and lied to” every were you see clowns are considered reef and community friendly, but they have killed five fish I have added to my tank all freshwater mollies, there fins are always ripped and scales missing at death, very annoyigg no as my stocking is low only having 6 fish left if I ever traded or buy a new fish I’m scarred they may be killed. I I’m asking how can you stop clown fish aggression or tone it down. Any answer helps, thanks.

 

[Rtaylor]

Clowns are aggressive. First question would be what size tank are they in? If it’s a small tank, you may not be able to keep any other fish with them.

Feed several times a day, hungry fish are more aggressive.

If the tank is 30 gallons +, you should be able to add a couple other small fish. You may need to remove the clowns and keep them in another tank or breeder box for a week or two to allow the new fish to setup territory.

Alternatively, You can try rearranging the scape right before adding the new fish.

Make sure there are lots of caves and hiding spots so the new fish can safely retreat if necessary.

 

[Fishology]

Clowns are aggressive. First question would be what size tank are they in? If it’s a small tank, you may not be able to keep any other fish with them.

Feed several times a day, hungry fish are more aggressive.

If the tank is 30 gallons +, you should be able to add a couple other small fish. You may need to remove the clowns and keep them in another tank or breeder box for a week or two to allow the new fish to setup territory.

Alternatively, You can try rearranging the scape right before adding the new fish.

Make sure there are lots of caves and hiding spots so the new fish can safely retreat if necessary.

The tank is a 40 gallon all these fish were added before the clowns were added and I really don’t want to move the rocks as I have corals growing on them which may damaged them or stress them

 

[Rtaylor]

The tank is a 40 gallon all these fish were added before the clowns were added and I really don’t want to move the rocks as I have corals growing on them which may damaged them or stress them

Taking a look at your tank pic, you don’t have enough rocks to provide adequate territory and hiding for more than 2-3 fish. Triple the amount of rock making lots of caves and crevices. Fish should be able to retreat and hide if under attack.

 

[jabberwock]

The personification of animals is bad. The cartoon movies about fish give us false perceptions about how animals actually behave. "Fish are friends! Not Food!"

 

[Mr. Roboto]

There is no way to "stop" this behavior. A 40 with a pair of clowns... they will prolly only tolerate a smaller helper fish or a larger one. They are mean fish and mollies are just lame ducks in a saltwater tank. More like live food for most saltwater fish. You might have to introduce the next fish slowly in its own basket walled off until they get used to it.

 

[Fishology]

Taking a look at your tank pic, you don’t have enough rocks to provide adequate territory and hiding for more than 2-3 fish. Triple the amount of rock making lots of caves and crevices. Fish should be able to retreat and hide if under attack.

Will have been looking for cheap rock and haven’t had the time to get some but will definitely make note on it thanks

 

[Timfish]

+1 to @Rtaylor suggestion on more rock. Individual behavior will always trump a species reputation. Most of the clowns I have are relatively fine with new additions but I'v also had mature females do their best to remove my hand from their aquarium. Just FYI, aquarists always need to be ready to rehome fish, whether adding new fish or dealing with changing behavior as fish mature.

 

[doubleshot00]

The most overrated fish. Get a different fish.

 

[Fishology]

The most overrated fish. Get a different fish.

No

 

[Fishology]

The most overrated fish. Get a different fish.

Just cause there overrated doesn’t mean I don’t want them I want the clowns to stay in the tank

 

[davidcalgary29]

You can't change the behaviour of your fish, and it's kind of unfair to think that they should -- they are acting very naturally to incursions into what is their breeding territory. Why not work with the clowns instead? You can:

-try a fish that has completely different living requirements, such as one of the dwarf (not matted!) filefish -- most other fish ignore them. Or perhaps a Caribbean clingfish, which often clings to the glass, and will be out of the way of the clowns

-try some fun inverts, like urchins and keyhole limpets and cowries, all of which are attractive and add unusual activity to the tank

-try something that lives in or near the substrate, such a pistol shrimp and goby pair; they're unlikely to be in direct competition with living space with the clowns.

-focus on corals instead of fish.

 

[JDTFL]

There is no way to "stop" this behavior. A 40 with a pair of clowns... they will prolly only tolerate a smaller helper fish or a larger one. They are mean fish and mollies are just lame ducks in a saltwater tank. More like live food for most saltwater fish. You might have to introduce the next fish slowly in its own basket walled off until they get used to it.

Does the basket work? Have two clowns that just took their aggression to a new level. Bought a sailfin a surgeon tang yesterday. Took them back today. Didn’t get anything for them being as they were torn up pretty good, but it was better than watching the clowns kill them off. Hopefully the store gives them away vs flushing them.