Snowflake Clown Issue

[Turnage]

I just added a firefish to my 32 gallon tank and my snowflake Clown is being a jerk to it. Keeps nipping at the firefish's tail. Any suggestions? Should I send the clown to the QT for a time out?

 

[Peace River]

I just added a firefish to my 32 gallon tank and my snowflake Clown is being a jerk to it. Keeps nipping at the firefish's tail. Any suggestions? Should I send the clown to the QT for a time out?

Because clowns are wired for hierarchy and dominance it is not unusual for them to focus on other fish, inverts, or even corals in addition to others of the same species. I recommend that you start with rearranging some of the aquascape or maybe adding something else to the aquascape (even if it is just temporary). There may come a time when you need to remove the clown, but I personally wouldn't make that the first option because it is quite possible that when you reintroduce the clown to the DT then she will start the dominance process all over again. Of course, if the aggression is potentially life threatening then I would remove one of the two fish immediately. I realize that this is not a pleasant process to watch, but it is part of the frustration and mystery of keeping clowns.

 

[Turnage]

Because clowns are wired for hierarchy and dominance it is not unusual for them to focus on other fish, inverts, or even corals in addition to others of the same species. I recommend that you start with rearranging some of the aquascape or maybe adding something else to the aquascape (even if it is just temporary). There may come a time when you need to remove the clown, but I personally wouldn't make that the first option because it is quite possible that when you reintroduce the clown to the DT then she will start the dominance process all over again. Of course, if the aggression is potentially life threatening then I would remove one of the two fish immediately. I realize that this is not a pleasant process to watch, but it is part of the frustration and mystery of keeping clowns.

Well I have some coral coming in tomorrow. Hopefully that will distract the clown.

 

[Peace River]

Well I have some coral coming in tomorrow. Hopefully that will distract the clown.

Yes, that is likely to help as a distraction. Do you have a plan for dipping or quarantining your corals? I would suggest that you be wary of taking them out of the bag and putting them straight into your tank from a risk management perspective.

 

[Turnage]

Yes, that is likely to help as a distraction. Do you have a plan for dipping or quarantining your corals? I would suggest that you be wary of taking them out of the bag and putting them straight into your tank from a risk management perspective.

Corals will be for sure dipped. They are coming from a trusted source so no quarantining. I put some purple barnacle shells in the tank. The clown is keeping her distance but if she goes after the firefish again I might stick her into the QT while the firefish heals her battle wounds.