Sudden change in aggression?

[Chef Mateo]

I've had my clowns for about 2 years and my PJ cardinal fish for about 1 year and 9 months. So they have been together for a while. But today I was walking past my tank and saw that my clowns were attacking him. Specifically what I believe is the female clown, the male clown was just following but not engaging in contact. I don't know why the sudden change in temper they have all peacefully swam together for a long time, they would swim together often. Now the PJ is hiding around the power heads and if he leaves the area he is instantly nipped at. I noticed his fins are a little torn and I am worried about long term damage or him getting stressed or dying. My only though is I added a royal gramma about 5 days ago, although I don't know how much this would change the social chemistry? The clowns seem to like him and they all even swim around my duncan coral where the clowns seem to host.

Thanks for the help just worried about my PJ, don't have an acclimation box to separate them right now so not sure if I can do anything right now...

 

[nukemdanno]

Could be a spawning event by the clowns


edit: are the clowns cleaning an area of the rock or glass? Maybe defending it?

 

[shred5]

Very well could be they are getting ready to breed.

Is the tank small?

They will often get aggressive to anything close the area where they may lay eggs chasing anything away. If it is a small tank it could be the entire tank..

 

[Chef Mateo]

Could be a spawning event by the clowns


edit: are the clowns cleaning an area of the rock or glass? Maybe defending it?

They don't seem to be cleaning anything, they're kind of attacking no matter the PJ's place in the tank unless he is hiding in the back. But, my Duncan coral is kind of in the center of the tank where they spend 70% of their time.

 

[Chef Mateo]

Very well could be they are getting ready to breed.

Is the tank small?

They will often get aggressive to anything close the area where they may lay eggs chasing anything away. If it is a small tank it could be the entire tank..

Yes it is a bit smaller only 30 gals, I am looking to upgrade soon to a 180+ but that is still a couple months away...

 

[nukemdanno]

I'm still thinking it may be a spawning attempt. BTW what kind of clowns?

 

[Chef Mateo]

I'm still thinking it may be a spawning attempt. BTW what kind of clowns?

They are ocellaris, specifically a Frostbite and a Nearly Naked

 

[nukemdanno]

only nearly nekid? I'm sticking to the above...watch for eggs

 

[Tahoe61]

What type of clowns?
I would remove the cardinal. Clowns can be lethal as they mature regardless of a spawning event, that is their nature

In smaller tanks there just is not enough room for other fish flee to. Speaking from experience. I have had mature clowns kill anything and everything in that size tank.

 

[Chef Mateo]

only nearly nekid? I'm sticking to the above...watch for eggs

Haha, I will continue to be on the lookout for eggs

 

[Chef Mateo]

What type of clowns?
I would remove the cardinal. Clowns can be lethal as they mature regardless of a spawning event, that is their nature

In smaller tanks there just is not enough room for other fish flee to. Speaking from experience. I have had mature clowns kill anything and everything in that size tank.

They're ocellaris, I am considering either moving out the cardinals or the clown just trying to figure out if I should set up a temporary tank as I would rather not got rid any of the fish

 

[nukemdanno]

What type of clowns?
I would remove the cardinal. Clowns can be lethal as they mature regardless of a spawning event, that is their nature

In smaller tanks there just is not enough room for other fish flee to. Speaking from experience. I have had mature clowns kill anything and everything in that size tank.

Isn't that mainly Maroons and Tomato clowns?

 

[Tahoe61]

Isn't that mainly Maroons and Tomato clowns?

Typically yes but any clown type can get territorial. I had a misbar black and white pair in a JBJ 28 for years. When they matured they turned on a yellow tail damsel, next all the cleaner shrimp.

 

[nukemdanno]

Typically yes but any clown type can get territorial. I had a misbar black and white pair in a JBJ 28 for years. When they matured they turned on a yellow tail damsel, next all the cleaner shrimp.

Wow and ouchies

 

[92Miata]

Clowns hosting right in the middle of a small tank is pretty much worst-case as far as aggression goes. Not only is there nowhere for other fish to go, but the clowns consider the whole tank their territory.

One thing you might try is moving the duncan to one corner and changing the rockwork so that their sight lines are limited.

 

[Chef Mateo]

I am currently in the process of re homing the PJ into a temporary 10 gal setup.

The one thing I don't get is they seem to be best friends with my new royal gramma, like the trio of them swim together around my duncan coral with no issues...

I'm just confused with why the aggression to the PJ and not the royal gramma.

 

[Tahoe61]

Pj are shy reclusive fish, with time the royal gramma might be next. Royal Gramma can stick up for themselves and use their dart holes when needed.
This is not unusual behavior for clowns at all. In the wild any intruders to a clownfish's harem territory will be met with aggression.
As posted the clowns claimed your 30 gallon tank as their territory and any fish that can not flee will not be tolerated.
Next will be your hand, you have not lived until you have been bitten repeatedly by a clown.

 

[Chef Mateo]

Pj are shy reclusive fish, with time the royal gramma might be next. Royal Gramma can stick up for themselves and use their dart holes when needed.
This is not unusual behavior for clowns at all. In the wild any intruders to a clownfish's harem territory will be met with aggression.
As posted the clowns claimed your 30 gallon tank as their territory and any fish that can not flee will not be tolerated.
Next will be your hand, you have not lived until you have been bitten repeatedly by a clown.

Yea the clowns are the only reason I wear gloves when I'm doing maintenance or moving stuff around, they are always nipping at me