Somebody Picking on Pygmy Angel

[redsea01]

Hi all,

So, I have a new Pygmy Cherub Angel in my 29 gallon with two Clownfish, a Fire Shrimp, a Cleaner Shrimp, Royal Gramma, and two hermits. For the past few days I have been noticing tears in the Angel's find. Nothing huge (though today it looks a bit worse) and they are always oddly healed by the next day. I am at a total loss because I have never seen one of these years happen while watching the tank. As a whole, everyone seems to get along just fine. When I first put the Angel in, I did see the Clowns pick the on her for like 10 seconds, and then it stopped and I haven't seen it since. I have only seen the Royal Gramma occasionally open it's mouth at the Angel of it gets too close to the Gramma's territory, but nothing physical. I really don't know what is causing this, but I am concerned. It could be something else, but I also seem to noticed very faint marks on the body, but not really. The Angel is very healthy, always swimming, and eats when I feed the tank. Unfortunately, she is the smallest fish...

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[redsea01]

 

[redsea01]

I actually did just see a bit of aggression from one of the Clowns...I think I know who's doing it now I suppose....just not sure what to do.

 

[redsea01]

I should clarify...what I saw did not appear to be physical, but very close...

 

[eatbreakfast]

It is most likely the clowns. It's pretty common for clowns to nip at fish that get too close. The angwl will learn and give the clowns a wider berth.

 

[Braxton]

It is most likely the clowns. It's pretty common for clowns to nip at fish that get too close. The angwl will learn and give the clowns a wider berth.

Is it really good to have territorial fish in a small tank like this?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Is it really good to have territorial fish in a small tank like this?

It depends on the degree of territoriality. Usually clowns in the ocellaris/percula complex aren't too bad in a 29g. They will defend their territory, but they don't claim that large of an area.

 

[redsea01]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your thoughts.
Braxton, in the future if I set up another smaller tank I will likely not add Clowns, or if I do, I will add them at the end. My one female in here is just crazy territorial...really more so than any clown I have had before (she's a black ice snowflake ocellaris). I also noticed today the Royal Gramma has a few nip marks in its tail. However, in happy news, the Angel is looking great. Not perfect, but I can tell it's been a while since Mrs. Clown decided to get a little aggressive. At this point, would you guys reccomend just waiting a few more days to see if things fizzle out? Or should I take the Clowns and all the rock out and completely rearrange everything? When I rearranged the first time, I left the Clowns in, and did not change every single area of the tank.

The only other thing I can think of is setting up a spare 10g for the Clowns. However, I am aware that is below their recommended minimum tank size, so I would feel a bit uncomfortable about doing that...unless you guys think that would be best? They would be the only specimens in there, but still, 10g is 10g.

Thanks again, I so appreciate your time!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your thoughts.
Braxton, in the future if I set up another smaller tank I will likely not add Clowns, or if I do, I will add them at the end. My one female in here is just crazy territorial...really more so than any clown I have had before (she's a black ice snowflake ocellaris). I also noticed today the Royal Gramma has a few nip marks in its tail. However, in happy news, the Angel is looking great. Not perfect, but I can tell it's been a while since Mrs. Clown decided to get a little aggressive. At this point, would you guys reccomend just waiting a few more days to see if things fizzle out? Or should I take the Clowns and all the rock out and completely rearrange everything? When I rearranged the first time, I left the Clowns in, and did not change every single area of the tank.

The only other thing I can think of is setting up a spare 10g for the Clowns. However, I am aware that is below their recommended minimum tank size, so I would feel a bit uncomfortable about doing that...unless you guys think that would be best? They would be the only specimens in there, but still, 10g is 10g.

Thanks again, I so appreciate your time!

If it wereme I would leave everything be, it should settle down.

A pr of clowns in a 10 would be fine as the only inhabitants, if things don't settle down.

 

[redsea01]

If it wereme I would leave everything be, it should settle down.

A pr of clowns in a 10 would be fine as the only inhabitants, if things don't settle down.

Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it!