Introducing clownfish need help

[Gaines69]

I finally found a clownfish small than my Princess Leia. They both are Ocellaris clownfish. My female ( she’s been alone for about 8 months) is chasing and attacking the new guy. He is slightly smaller. At first she would swim at him and quiver. After about five minutes she bit him on the tail. Now she keeps chasing him and he swims away. He is faster than her. She will chase him then swim off, then chase him again. Should I remove him or let her establish dominance? When should I worry about him. They both were eating.

 

[EmdeReef]

You could try an acclimation box for a few days and put the smaller clown in then release. They may work it out but could also end badly for the little guy.

 

[Gaines69]

You could try an acclimation box for a few days and put the smaller clown in then release. They may work it out but could also end badly for the little guy.

Well he went to the tank and dig a little intention in the sand and sat there. She went back there but didn’t attack him. She just keeps swimming around him kinda quivering. Now he’s swimming around the back and she keeps going back there but not attacking. My fingers are crossed.

 

[EmdeReef]

Good luck, keep us posted! Sometimes also helps to keep the lights off, or rearranging your rocks when introducing new fish.

 

[Gaines69]

Here is a bad video of behavior when I put the new guy in. He swam up front and she swam by him and quivered again but no attacking or chasing. Hoping this is a good sign. We did turn the lights down to just night light. Will be keeping a close watch. For some reason I’m having trouble uploading the video from my phone. Ugh

 

[EmdeReef]

The video didn’t upload but what you are describing wouldn’t be unusual for clowns during their “working things out” phase. Keep a close eye and if things get really bad and you start noticing wounds or anything you can remove and start over.

 

[Gaines69]

Well I guess they have decided they like each other. They are staying together. When he goes where she isn’t she chases, but doesn’t attack, him to get him back where she wants him. Yeah girl power. BTW. She is Princess Leia and he is Luke Skywalker. Lol