psycho clown

[TimSt]

I read all these postings of clown fish being jerks or biting the hands that feed them, and I never related to any of them with regards to my clown. Yesterday, the switch on my maroon clown's brain must have flipped. He's been in the tank about 2 months, showing no interest at all in the RBTA in the tank with him. He has also never paid any attention to my hands in the tank.

A couple of weeks ago, I added two more anemones. Again, no interest.

Yesterday, out of nowhere, he tried out one, and then another RBTA and has settled in. Cool, I thought.

Later, when I put the algae scraper in the tank, he went beserk--attacking the scraper the whole time it was in the tank.

Now I'm afraid to put my hand in the tank with this little 2" beast. More worrisome, is the question of what he'll do to any other fish introduced to the tank (he's the sole fishy inhabitant right now).

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I wouldve suggested a clown mate. But im not sure - in regards to your last comment - if an addition now would survive. Tho the devils - i mean clowns - are interesting that way. It found a home and doesnt like you in it is what i tell ppl. Tongue in cheek there. What is the size of the tank?

 

[Jim Gomoll]

Best to add pairs together. With only one now and thats 2", adding a mate would most likely not turn out well. My two 3 1/2" Calki's are also attackers whenever something or my hand goes into the tank. No mate addition - Just yesterday the larger female started beating on the male. He's now in a Domestic Abuse QT tank healing from the battery and fin bites. Both will stay Divorced here on out. So again, would not add a mate since the one you have already sounds like a bully.

 

[kevgib67]

Maroon clowns are a beautiful fish. Decades ago I had one the worst serial killer I’ve ever had ( second runner up, an orange tail damsel). Any fish I introduced to the tank was slaughtered within an hour. After a year or so I rehomed it so I could have more fish diversity and swore off maroons and have stuck with ocellaris. That being said they all have individual personalities and I have heard identical stories about ocellaris. Good luck.

 

[Eli57]

If you want to add more fish, get rid of him and start again. I had a clown who snapped and killed every other fish in a week (her mate, a talbots damsel, and a royal gramma). Its not worth the money to try and see if it will work in my opinion.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Sounds like she finally got territorial now that she has a home. My evil occy female wound up accepting a mate later on, but even as bad as she is a maroon is going to be far worse.
Perhaps a sand/rock dwelling fish like a goby or blenny would fare well. All of this is dependent on tank size though.

 

[kdx7214]

I read all these postings of clown fish being jerks or biting the hands that feed them, and I never related to any of them with regards to my clown. Yesterday, the switch on my maroon clown's brain must have flipped. He's been in the tank about 2 months, showing no interest at all in the RBTA in the tank with him. He has also never paid any attention to my hands in the tank.

A couple of weeks ago, I added two more anemones. Again, no interest.

Yesterday, out of nowhere, he tried out one, and then another RBTA and has settled in. Cool, I thought.

Later, when I put the algae scraper in the tank, he went beserk--attacking the scraper the whole time it was in the tank.

Now I'm afraid to put my hand in the tank with this little 2" beast. More worrisome, is the question of what he'll do to any other fish introduced to the tank (he's the sole fishy inhabitant right now).

Every clown I've had became she-devils once they became female. I had a black percula that would take chunks out of any part of me she could reach when I cleaned the tank. Had an ocellaris with similar results. They're beautiful and fun fish but highly territorial.

 

[TimSt]

Hmmm, I guess I should've known better. Tank is 85 gal. Big territory for a little fish.

 

[kdx7214]

Hmmm, I guess I should've known better. Tank is 85 gal. Big territory for a little fish.

There's no predicting how large a territory they'll claim. Many years ago a friend had a 180g and one mated pair of clowns. The female laid claim to the entire tank. Nothing else was allowed in. He finally had to move the pair to another smaller species only tank.

 

[TimSt]

Do I have any options for introducing other fish? Put the clown in an acclimation box for a while and introduce new fish?

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

If thats the route you choose - yes acclimation box. Normally you do it in reverse tho

 

[FurrierTransform]

yeah mine doesn't like the algae scraper when I'm using it either

 

[kevgib67]

You could try, I made one I put the new fish in for a few days until I thought the clown lost interest but same results when I released them into the DT. Some people have had luck putting a mirror against the glass that draws its attention more than the new fish. Others have had luck moving the rock scape around right before introduction so they loose there sense of territory. Maroons are tough, perhaps you will have an exception.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Pulling the clown for a bit and rearranging the decor before adding the new fish is probably the best option. No guarantees though.

 

[TimSt]

Update: Clown went into acclimation box a few weeks ago. Two orders of fish from Dr. Reef have come in since then. I've let the other fish settle in, and let the clown out a little while ago. He went hunting for his anemone (which incidentally moved while he was in the box) and is settling in there. Not interested in any other inhabitants right now. Will be keeping a close eye on him over the next couple of days. Fingers crossed this works out!