My Clown Fish is a Punk

[Sarah1518]

Hey I have a clownfish in my 13 gallon evo and he is a such a punk. He attacks my hand when I clean the tank and constantly strikes at the cleaning sponge. Rencently this week he has started biting my shrimp. The shrimp doesn’t have any signs of damage that I can tell, but the clown follows him everywhere struking at his back. Any suggestions?

 

[reef lover]

Being such a small tank the clown has claimed it in its entirety for herself.only thing to lessen the aggressiveness is a bigger home...

 

[nemlover91]

Agreed with reef lover. The whole tank has been claimed as territory. Clowns are part of the damsel family and can be very aggressive. I had a pair of maroons tear multiple fish up before. They can be very aggressive. Really the only solution would be a bigger tank or more hiding places.

 

[jpluttme]

Had a gold stripe maroon that would draw blood when I would stick my hand in the tank but he was friendly to the other fish fortunately.

 

[rich nyc]

But he doesnt pick on the other fish
Maybe he should go to clownfish boot camp

 

[nemlover91]

Shrimp can sometimes annoy fish lol I have seen multiple species of fish get mad at them. I know I do when they decide to steal food out of my coral!

 

[JBKReef]

I think the aggression is driven by the number of fish in the tank. Three fish is pushing it in the small tank. I would look to going at least to a 29 gallon for that combo of fish.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Yep, clownfish will take over a tank. Especially that small. I had a pair that took over my 29g then proceeded to take over an entire 7' 210g. Had to re-home them. I wanted more fish in the 210g than the two clowns.

 

[dwolson]

Mine are very protective of their anemones. If I get my hands anywhere near them they try to bite me. Annoying.

 

[OriginalUserName]

Mine are very protective of their anemones. If I get my hands anywhere near them they try to bite me. Annoying.

It's funny how much these guys can vary in behavior. Mine are jerks to the other inhabitants when they are breeding, but other times they just casually push them around. They never try to bite me though.

 

[nemlover91]

Mine are very protective of their anemones. If I get my hands anywhere near them they try to bite me. Annoying.

I second this! Set near their anemone and they will peck at you til you leave their space.

 

[scott11106]

there is nothing you can do except move him to a larger home and there is no promise he wont do that where ever he goes. not saying you are but if you move hime make sure all other fish are already in and put him in last, or maybe try and get him some anger management help....lol

 

[Aaron-A2]

For those suggesting moving him to a larger home... I disagree. I have a Wyoming white in my 210g tank and he will 100% bite my hand when I do anything in my tank. I could be 6 feet away at the other end of the tank and you bet your butt I'll get chomped.

I spent 30 days feeding directly from my hand to try and create an understanding that hand = food, but no luck. I'll be taking her back to the LFS this weekend in exchange for a different clown. I can post a picture of my numerous bites later :/

 

[suineg]

I had a pair of clowns that would nibble on my fingers but not strike at me. You feel like they are striking in anger or being playful?

 

[Jesterrace]

One of the biggest lies told is that Occ clownfish are Peaceful. ALL CLOWNFISH ARE SEMI-AGGRESSIVE/TERRITORIAL TO SOME DEGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plenty of examples of them biting their owners. One poor lady on here had her clown jump out of her tank trying to bite her face and then the fish went down her tank top attempting to bite everything in site. My snowflake occ never had the opportunity to attack me as he was a butthead to his tank mates and he was removed (not until after my wrasse beat the crappola out of him though ). I don't think I will have another clownfish in my tank. Incidentally a Coral Beauty in a 13 gallon evo is not a good idea long term, they need way more rock and swimming space to be happy. Pretty fish though.