Managing female clownfish aggression.

[fluked]

Hi guys,

My female clown over the last few days decided she is going to terrorise our male osc clown. Have had them for around 3 months with no issues, but now she is chasing him over the tank all day. Ive tried adding a mirror to the side of the tank, but she doesn't care. They have also stopped sleeping near each other at night and the males fins are getting pretty beaten up. I've borrowed an acclimation box from my awesome lfs that lent me one, so my question is should i put the male or female in the box to let them calm down and the male heal? He's also having no issues eating, he's a fatty as always.

Edit: also curious if anyone has rought timeframes that torn fins could take to heal? I know every fish is different, and i can't really provide good photos yet.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Whenever I have an aggressive fish I put it in timeout (my sump) for a few days. This has worked for me 100% of the time. But with a female clown it may just revert back to its old ways (they are mean!)

 

[fluked]

Whenever I have an aggressive fish I put it in timeout (my sump) for a few days. This has worked for me 100% of the time. But with a female clown it may just revert back to its old ways (they are mean!)

That's why i opted to use the acclimation box, so they never really lose sight of each other, just trying to work out if the aggression would be worse if its the female or male coming out of the box at the end.

 

[j.register3]

Hi guys,

My female clown over the last few days decided she is going to terrorise our male osc clown. Have had them for around 3 months with no issues, but now she is chasing him over the tank all day. Ive tried adding a mirror to the side of the tank, but she doesn't care. They have also stopped sleeping near each other at night and the males fins are getting pretty beaten up. I've borrowed an acclimation box from my awesome lfs that lent me one, so my question is should i put the male or female in the box to let them calm down and the male heal? He's also having no issues eating, he's a fatty as always.

Edit: also curious if anyone has rought timeframes that torn fins could take to heal? I know every fish is different, and i can't really provide good photos yet.

Interesting. Is it possible your clownfish are too close in size? If they are too similar in size, it’s possible that the male is changing to female?

I’ve never had my clownfish be THAT aggressive before. They’ve fought & slept in different corners for a couple nights but they always work things out.

There’s a great video of clownfish hosting anemone I put up to the tank if my girl clowns ever being too mean & they huddle up next to each other & forget that they were fighting.

 

[fluked]

Interesting. Is it possible your clownfish are too close in size? If they are too similar in size, it’s possible that the male is changing to female?

I’ve never had my clownfish be THAT aggressive before. They’ve fought & slept in different corners for a couple nights but they always work things out.

There’s a great video of clownfish hosting anemone I put up to the tank if my girl clowns ever being too mean & they huddle up next to each other & forget that they were fighting.

I don't really have many photos of them next to each other, but the female is much bigger, i bought different sized ones to hopefully avoid this fighting. Also the female isnt aggressive in general, her and my royale dottyback are legit besties, swim together and hang out all the time, its sort of weird.

Id say the female is probably 1 -2cms bigger than the male. Its possible the female is still a male and just transitioning now however as it isnt fully grown?

Sorry for the bad quality photos, glass is pretty dirty and ive been lazy.

 

[fluked]

Actually found some photos of them together.

 

[j.register3]

I don't really have many photos of them next to each other, but the female is much bigger, i bought different sized ones to hopefully avoid this fighting. Also the female isnt aggressive in general, her and my royale dottyback are legit besties, swim together and hang out all the time, its sort of weird.

Id say the female is probably 1 -2cms bigger than the male. Its possible the female is still a male and just transitioning now however as it isnt fully grown?

Sorry for the bad quality photos, glass is pretty dirty and ive been lazy.

Wow yeah that’s really interesting. They say clownfish aren’t sexually mature until around 2 years old so it could be they’re working out the hierarchy between themselves. The damage to the fins is worrisome though & id separate the fish causing the aggression for a bit, then try again. Clownfish are spontaneous so I’m curious to see how this turns out!

 

[fluked]

Wow yeah that’s really interesting. They say clownfish aren’t sexually mature until around 2 years old so it could be they’re working out the hierarchy between themselves. The damage to the fins is worrisome though & id separate the fish causing the aggression for a bit, then try again. Clownfish are spontaneous so I’m curious to see how this turns out!

That could be it, fair chance the bigger one is still a dude. Just trying to minimise aggression once its back in the tank, would putting the bigger or smaller one in the box be better? Or would it not really matter

 

[j.register3]

That could be it, fair chance the bigger one is still a dude. Just trying to minimise aggression once its back in the tank, would putting the bigger or smaller one in the box be better? Or would it not really matter

I’d say whichever one is initiating the aggression. So most likely, the bigger one.

Although, the video trick worked wonders for me. When they see a bigger clownfish in the tank (or in this case up against the glass), they became a lot more docile. Just a tip that worked for me. Good luck!!

 

[fluked]

I’d say whichever one is initiating the aggression. So most likely, the bigger one.

Although, the video trick worked wonders for me. When they see a bigger clownfish in the tank (or in this case up against the glass), they became a lot more docile. Just a tip that worked for me. Good luck!!

Awesome, ill try the same as well
Thanks!