Percula Clown Aggression

[cristata.reef]

Hi guys. So I have two percula clowns. I know that female clowns will always pick on the subordinate male due to the whole matriarchal hierarchy thing and all, but lately it's been getting out of hand. The female has completely chewed off the male's left fin and there are several scars on his fins/body. I just put the female in a fish trap which is inside the tank. However the female now seems very very stressed out (i.e. dive bombing the bottom of the fish trap, charging into the corners, etc). Not sure if this is normal. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance!

 

[LatinKing]

Question how long has these clownfish been together? Do you know about how old are these clownfish?

 

[Mr. Bill]

On rare occasion, you'll find one that won't accept a mate. I had one myself a few years ago, also a Percula. Bought a pair of juveniles together to be safe, but once they matured, the female killed the male. I left her alone for a few months, then added an adult male. She beat him up pretty badly and eventually chased him into the overflow. I just gave him to a neighbor when I got him out.

 

[cristata.reef]

Question how long has these clownfish been together? Do you know about how old are these clownfish?

They are both the same age. Captive bred and born together. Have been together as far as I know for their entire lives (about 1-2 years but maybe a little longer)

 

[cristata.reef]

On rare occasion, you'll find one that won't accept a mate. I had one myself a few years ago, also a Percula. Bought a pair of juveniles together to be safe, but once they matured, the female killed the male. I left her alone for a few months, then added an adult male. She beat him up pretty badly and eventually chased him into the overflow. I just gave him to a neighbor when I got him out.

So do you think putting her on time out was a good idea? Or will it cause more harm than good/nothing at all?

 

[LatinKing]

Are they both the same size? If so they both can be females and that can be your problem.

 

[LatinKing]

Sorry, I misunderstood you had purchase 2 captive bred, so at first they were both males. The aggressive clown must have changed female or changing to female. It's common for the female to be the aggressive one in the pair. I had purchase a male Onyx Picasso when trying to pair with a larger female, the female will beat on the male and chewed off his fins and tail. Eventually I tried to separate the female. By letting the males swim free, and the female in a container hanging in the tank, or in your case put her in the fish trap for a few days. She will look at the male and try to follow the male, while she is trap in the container. After a few they release the female in the tank. And keep your eyes on the female. This should solve the aggression and they should pair. If not you need to remove the female, and get a smaller clownfish. Then your previous male being the larger will turn female. Note: the chewed fins will grow back eventually. Good luck

 

[cristata.reef]

Sorry, I misunderstood you had purchase 2 captive bred, so at first they were both males. The aggressive clown must have changed female or changing to female. It's common for the female to be the aggressive one in the pair. I had purchase a male Onyx Picasso when trying to pair with a larger female, the female will beat on the male and chewed off his fins and tail. Eventually I tried to separate the female. By letting the males swim free, and the female in a container hanging in the tank, or in your case put her in the fish trap for a few days. She will look at the male and try to follow the male, while she is trap in the container. After a few they release the female in the tank. And keep your eyes on the female. This should solve the aggression and they should pair. If not you need to remove the female, and get a smaller clownfish. Then your previous male being the larger will turn female. Note: the chewed fins will grow back eventually. Good luck

Yea right on, one is almost twice as large and is most definitely the female. So based off what you’re saying my idea should work? Now the only thing I was concerned about regarding the female now is it looks like she’s trying to injure herself by slamming into the walls/floor. Is this normal? She should have ample swimming room (1 inch fish in a 8x4x5 fish trap)

 

[LatinKing]

Yea right on, one is almost twice as large and is most definitely the female. So based off what you’re saying my idea should work? Now the only thing I was concerned about regarding the female now is it looks like she’s trying to injure herself by slamming into the walls/floor. Is this normal? She should have ample swimming room (1 inch fish in a 8x4x5 fish trap)

I wouldn't worry so much on space because you don't want her to be comfortable to want to stay in the trap. Less space might keep her from trying to hurt herself.
Once I, didn't have a container, so I took a peanut butter jar the plastic jar punch holes in it, and put my female picasso in it. Remember your trying to calm her down, like a punishment...LOL

 

[cristata.reef]

I would worry so much on space because you don't want her to be comfortable to want to stay in the tray. Less space might keep her from trying to hurt herself.
Once I, didn't have a container, so I took a peanut butter jar the plastic jar punch holes in it, and put my female picasso in it. Remember your trying to calm her down, like a punishment...LOL

Alright I have a divider that came with the fish trap. Thanks SO MUCH for all of your help! I really appreciate it

 

[LatinKing]

Alright I have a divider that came with the fish trap. Thanks SO MUCH for all of your help! I really appreciate it

I'm no expert, these suggestion I've learned from helpful clownfish breeders here on R2R. So it's only fair to pass on to members like you with similiar issue. I hope it all works out. Please keep us inform with your progress. Your very welcome

 

[cristata.reef]

I'm no expert, these suggestion I've learned from helpful clownfish breeders here on R2R. So it's only fair to pass on to members like you with similiar issue. I hope it all works out. Please keep us inform with your progress. Your very welcome

Alright might have been a little overkill but the female is back in the tank after a week in the fish trap. She immediately swam right up to the male and swam alongside it, this time without any biting. Currently she's as happy as can be, occupying herself by doing freedom loops in the current from the return pump. Let's hope that this solved the problem because I really don't want to put her back in there again (also because I'm using the fish trap to hold new frags lol)