My Firefish is being attacked by my Clown

[David.C]

Hi

I'm new to the community, I've been running my tank for about 6 months. My first tank additions were a Purple Firefish and Canary Blenny

I've since added 2 clowns, a Royal Gramma, a Diamond Goby and 2 Bengali Cardinal Fish, 2 cleaner shrimps and a CUC (hermits, Halloween hermits, an emerald crab, 2 conchs and lots of nasarius/trochus snails)

The tank is 360 litres. 120cm x 60cm X cm

They were all getting along fine but I haven't seen the Purple Firefish for a few days and today saw the larger clown attacking it and he has caused a fair bit of damage to him.

What should I do, this clown doesn't attack any other fish. Was in the tank after the Firefish so not sure why he's taken a dislike to him, and only him

Currently the Clown is in fish jail in a breeding box but this isn't a long term solution

Any suggestions?

My gut feel is to re-home the Firefish but I worry I have an aggressive clown who will turn his attention to other fish.

Has anybody else experienced this or something similar?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

your firefish has white dots, possibly ich. #fishmedic can confirm that, and if positive, what your next step should ne.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Clowns are evil. Disney lied. They are not good community fish. I'd give the the clowns away and keep the firefish, and I don't see my purple except for about once a week.

 

[David.C]

your firefish has white dots, possibly ich. #fishmedic can confirm that, and if positive, what your next step should ne.

I think it's just the reflection from the tank but I'll double check, thanks

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi

I'm new to the community, I've been running my tank for about 6 months. My first tank additions were a Purple Firefish and Canary Blenny

I've since added 2 clowns, a Royal Gramma, a Diamond Goby and 2 Bengali Cardinal Fish, 2 cleaner shrimps and a CUC (hermits, Halloween hermits, an emerald crab, 2 conchs and lots of nasarius/trochus snails)

The tank is 360 litres. 120cm x 60cm X cm

They were all getting along fine but I haven't seen the Purple Firefish for a few days and today saw the larger clown attacking it and he has caused a fair bit of damage to him.

What should I do, this clown doesn't attack any other fish. Was in the tank after the Firefish so not sure why he's taken a dislike to him, and only him

Currently the Clown is in fish jail in a breeding box but this isn't a long term solution

Any suggestions?

My gut feel is to re-home the Firefish but I worry I have an aggressive clown who will turn his attention to other fish.

Has anybody else experienced this or something similar?

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

That's pretty serious fin damage. Placing the clown in jail was the right thing to do, allows the firefish better conditions in which to try and heal up. Is it still eating? If so, that's a good sign. If it isn't eating, it may have sustained too much damage.

Longterm, you could try reintroducing them once the firefish has recovered, but of course, you may see the same outcome. Then, it is a matter of keeping which fish you like best. You shouldn't try to rehome the firefish in this condition though, let it heal up first.

Jay

 

[Rmckoy]

Fire fish are said to be less likely to contract many illnesses or parasites .

Sadly when reintroduced clowns are a holes and fire fish are jumpers .
When scared or chased they are likely to dart and jump ( carpet surfing is likely to happen )

 

[David.C]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

That's pretty serious fin damage. Placing the clown in jail was the right thing to do, allows the firefish better conditions in which to try and heal up. Is it still eating? If so, that's a good sign. If it isn't eating, it may have sustained too much damage.

Longterm, you could try reintroducing them once the firefish has recovered, but of course, you may see the same outcome. Then, it is a matter of keeping which fish you like best. You shouldn't try to rehome the firefish in this condition though, let it heal up first.

Jay

Thanks Jay, my plan is to keep my clown in jail for a few days and if he continues I'll put the Firefish in the QT tank.

I'll see if he eats later, I haven't seen him for a few days. He normally spends all day in his cave but comes out if you come near the tank in the expectation of food. Hopefully with the clown in jail he will come out again soon

 

[David.C]

Fire fish are said to be less likely to contract many illnesses or parasites .

Sadly when reintroduced clowns are a holes and fire fish are jumpers .
When scared or chased they are likely to dart and jump ( carpet surfing is likely to happen )

Thanks, I have a roof on the tank for this exact reason, a few of my fish have reputation for jumping so I don't want to come down one day with one on the floor...especially when it's easily avoidable. It's a simple solution, 2 perspex sheets with holes drilled through for ventilation and feeding

 

[Rmckoy]

Thanks, I have a roof on the tank for this exact reason, a few of my fish have reputation for jumping so I don't want to come down one day with one on the floor...especially when it's easily avoidable. It's a simple solution, 2 perspex sheets with holes drilled through for ventilation and feeding

I’ve always hated covers …
Not only just a pain for servicing but also restricts lights , restricts gas exchange but is always dirty and covered with salt creep .

I will say the most common one I’ve had fke jumping has been lawnmower blenny , sand sifting goby and clownfish.

 

[Sharkbait19]

You can try reintroducing but my gut says you’ll have to pick one to rehome. My clown picked targets and wouldn’t stop until they were gone, including a firefish.

 

[littlefoxx]

Hi

I'm new to the community, I've been running my tank for about 6 months. My first tank additions were a Purple Firefish and Canary Blenny

I've since added 2 clowns, a Royal Gramma, a Diamond Goby and 2 Bengali Cardinal Fish, 2 cleaner shrimps and a CUC (hermits, Halloween hermits, an emerald crab, 2 conchs and lots of nasarius/trochus snails)

The tank is 360 litres. 120cm x 60cm X cm

They were all getting along fine but I haven't seen the Purple Firefish for a few days and today saw the larger clown attacking it and he has caused a fair bit of damage to him.

What should I do, this clown doesn't attack any other fish. Was in the tank after the Firefish so not sure why he's taken a dislike to him, and only him

Currently the Clown is in fish jail in a breeding box but this isn't a long term solution

Any suggestions?

My gut feel is to re-home the Firefish but I worry I have an aggressive clown who will turn his attention to other fish.

Has anybody else experienced this or something similar?

Your bigger clown is actually female or turning into a female! She gets aggressive with other fish and her partner as she matures and finds their spot. Depends on the fish, Ive got two firefish with maroons clowns and they ignore eachother. Clowns are just really aggressive in general, like others said Disney lied lol. Based on how your firefish looks she probably will kill him in given the chance. Ive done the no no box as I call it with other fish for a week and they change their tune so maybe try keeping her in there while the firedish heals

 

[David.C]

Unfortunately the Firefish didn't survive but the positive is th aggressive clown has calmed down

Although I now have an aggressive Bangai Cardinal fish, but only to the other BC for some reason. They were selected as male and female in the LFS. Hopefully they learn to co-exist at some point

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Unfortunately the Firefish didn't survive but the positive is th aggressive clown has calmed down

Although I now have an aggressive Bangai Cardinal fish, but only to the other BC for some reason. They were selected as male and female in the LFS. Hopefully they learn to co-exist at some point

Sorry to hear that it didn't make it.

Jay