territorial clownfish

[kim7]

So I got my first fish in my 20g tall. A clownfish, which is about 2.5 inches. Later I bought a firefish, who was mostly hiding due to the territoral clownish, who owns the center bottom area of the tank....How will this turn out in the long run? Will adding a few more fish balance out the aggression? By aggression I mean, when ever the firefish comes near, the clown shoots him away. making him go back inside the holes in the Live rock. I was also thinking about having a royal gramma. I originaly wanted the royal gramma as my first fish, but my LFS didnt have it, so I just picked up the clownfish instead.

 

[Averill]

Hi Kim. It's not certain how anything is going to turn out, each fish is different, but I have 3 clowns in my 55g tank, 1 snowflake and 2 maroons, and the largest is obviously the dominant 1. It took about 2 1/2 weeks before it calmed down a little. The only fish that the clown wouldn't try to bully was my sailfin tang. The thing about clowns is that they are all male until dominance is established in the tank, and then the dominant 1 turns female. So give it a little bit of time before separating, for your clown maybe changing Caitlyn Jenner style

 

[kim7]

So is it possible for a dominant female clown turn back into a male? Get smaller? (This might be stupid question lol)

 

[Averill]

I believe once female, they will stay that way till death, then the dominant one, usually was the male in the breeding process, will change to female and as far as size goes they don't generally shrink down to a previous size

 

[kim7]

Thanks for info! In terms of stocking, what do you think about my list for my 20g
-clownfish
-fire fish
-Blenny or goby&pistol
-royal gramma

Do you think this combination is a bit wierd?

I know 4 fish might be a bit overstocked, but I'm willing to maintain it well

 

[Speedyron]

what would solve the problem is getting an anemone but sounds too crowded as it is and you would need special lighting

 

[Speedyron]

what would solve the problem is getting an anemone but sounds too crowded as it is and you would need special lighting

 

[kim7]

But clownfish and gramma themselves shouldnt be a problem right? I would change the rocks around if I have to.

 

[Speedyron]

clowns and damsels are often territorial and aggressive. a clown will chase away tangs 6 times there size. I have them both in a tank and have seen this. If it is possible to relocate the clown perhaps to a refugium or sump for a week then introduce so it is the new comer it may help. alot of times introduction of the fish to the tank in the right order is what works best. stock your tanks with the least aggressive fish first then move on to the more aggressive then the next most aggressive.

 

[kim7]

Wow. thanks. Ive never heard of this. I think ive read that relocation the live rocks will also do.

 

[Josh jones]

I got 2 clowns and 3 cromies and a fire shrimp and some other odds and ends no issues but when I stick my hand in the tank the male attacks me lol

 

[Speedyron]

i doubt it will but its definitely easier and worth a try as long as ur other fish is not getting too beat up

 

[hopperjl16]

Thanks for info! In terms of stocking, what do you think about my list for my 20g
-clownfish
-fire fish
-Blenny or goby&pistol
-royal gramma

Do you think this combination is a bit wierd?

I know 4 fish might be a bit overstocked, but I'm willing to maintain it well

Hi Kim, I have a biocube 29, so just a little larger than your tank. I have 2 clowns, a firefish, a watchman goby with pistol, a blood red fire shrimp, and numerous other inverts. Territory-wise I feel this is all my tank can handle. It's not really about maintaining cleanliness so much as there just isn't room for another territory. That being said, my goby is a HUGE bully so maybe that's why I feel this way. Good luck!

 

[Speedyron]

I got 2 clowns and 3 cromies and a fire shrimp and some other odds and ends no issues but when I stick my hand in the tank the male attacks me lol

i bet u dont have an anemone for it to host either. if u did it would not venture far from it unless going up to grab food.

 

[dab.daniel_]

How do I post questions on this?

 

[1fishjones]

You just did!

 

[dab.daniel_]

I meant like a thread smart one. But it's ok I figured it out
Thanks for your help tho