After doing some research on the most "peaceful" species, I recently bought a pair of skunks. So far they've been targeting my fairy wrasse, nipping her tail and actively seeking her out. They do leave the other fish alone for the most part. Since I've never kept clowns before, I'm not sure if this is considered "peaceful" for a clown? Did I just get aggressive individuals? I read that they can be shy and easily intimidated but so far this has not been my experience. Would getting them an anemone help them settle down? Because right now they swim throughout the tank making it hard for other fish to avoid them.
Skunk pair aggression
- Thread starter jrsmith
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Peace River
Thrive Master
Staff member
Super Moderator
Reef Squad
Reef Squad Leader
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
Article Contributor
Hospitality Award
Article Administrator
Reef Pumpkin Carver
Clowns are weird and amazing and because fish don't read they don't always follow the rules about how they are supposed to act. Skunk clownfish can be timid in the presence of more aggressive species, but they have also been known to defend a territory.
neltel_7
Active Member
I have orange skunks, I find that giving enough variability in the rock structure ( in this case pvc) will really help, so maybe take some pvc and make a little structure to obscure the skunks view.the wrasse will eventually learn not to go near them.
I have pinks but originally wanted orange lol. IMO the pictures online don't do them justice. The wrasse is already learning to keep a safe distance. Luckily the clowns are not fast enough unless she's right in front of them. Do you have them hosting an anemone?
neltel_7
Active Member
They are a pair but only the female hosts the anemone for some reason. I think that the anemone helps though because it gives the skunks a low lying place to be, whereas the wrasse usually swines higher in the tank. Once you take them out of qt the aggression should be minimized because they will accept the wrasse as part of their territory.
I have something similar going on. I have a big clay pot that's big enough for both of them but the female claimed it for herself. I was looking into getting a LTA for them so I guess I'll see how they react once in the dt. Do ur skunks bother any other fish? For me it's literally just the wrasse. I have a basslet that hangs out by the pot all day and the clowns couldn't care less.
neltel_7
Active Member
No they literally don’t bother anything else haha (unless one of my tangs gets wayyy to close but even then it’s just a nip). I think it’s the shape for the fairy wrasse and I’m some cases their coloration.
