Territorial fish

[BaliWoody]

This fish has claimed this huge anemone as its own and chases all other clowns and Nemo’s from getting near. Is this usual

 

[Gareth elliott]

Clowns are damsels and can be very aggressive to their own kind. long term housing more than a pair in a normal sized tank can be difficult to say the least, because of their territorial nature.

 

[BaliWoody]

Clowns are damsels and can be very aggressive to their own kind. long term housing more than a pair in a normal sized tank can be difficult to say the least, because of their territorial nature.

Thanks Gareth. The tank is large (880 litres or 230 US Gal) and I have 6 clowns and damsels. Most have formed pairs and share an anemone, but this large fish won’t let anyone else near.

 

[ZoWhat]

What's pictured I believe is a Maroon Clown.

Extremely aggressive.... prob the meanest fish I've ever owned years ago. Whenever I put my hands in the tank it would bite my tender flap of skin in btwn the base of my fingers. 50% of the time it would draw a tiny amt of blood.

It was also so intelligent that it would hide behind rocks to do surprise attacks on my hands.

So yeah... what you described is "usual" behavior



.

 

[Peace River]

This fish has claimed this huge anemone as its own and chases all other clowns and Nemo’s from getting near. Is this usual

Clowns are wired for hierarchy so this is not surprising from a large female. BTW, nice ‘nem!

 

[BaliWoody]

What's pictured I believe is a Maroon Clown.

Extremely aggressive.... prob the meanest fish I've ever owned years ago. Whenever I put my hands in the tank it would bite my tender flap of skin in btwn the base of my fingers. 50% of the time it would draw a tiny amt of blood.

It was also so intelligent that it would hide behind rocks to do surprise attacks on my hands.

So yeah... what you described is "usual" behavior



.

It’s a large clown as well. It hasn’t bitten me yet but I think it would if I went near her home!!!

 

[BaliWoody]

Clowns are wired for hierarchy so this is not surprising from a large female. BTW, nice ‘nem!

Thanks. I notice the small clowns are ejected from the other anemones if they approach. I suppose the hierarchy kicks in early in life.

 

[Peace River]

Thanks. I notice the small clowns are ejected from the other anemones if they approach. I suppose the hierarchy kicks in early in life.

Yes, no question about it! This is literally how sex is determined in clownfish. In a group of clowns the most dominate will start growing and become the female, the second most dominate will grow some and become the male, and the rest will remain undeveloped juveniles. If the female is removed for whatever reason, the male will begin to transition into a female and the next most dominant juvenile will transition into a female. Hierarchy is wired into their basic reproduction strategy!

 

[BaliWoody]

Yes, no question about it! This is literally how sex is determined in clownfish. In a group of clowns the most dominate will start growing and become the female, the second most dominate will grow some and become the male, and the rest will remain undeveloped juveniles. If the female is removed for whatever reason, the male will begin to transition into a female and the next most dominant juvenile will transition into a female. Hierarchy is wired into their basic reproduction strategy!

Great information. Thanks. It explains why the other clowns are not growing along with the other fish in the tank.

I’m adding 2 new anemones today to try and house them.

 

[BaliWoody]

Yes, no question about it! This is literally how sex is determined in clownfish. In a group of clowns the most dominate will start growing and become the female, the second most dominate will grow some and become the male, and the rest will remain undeveloped juveniles. If the female is removed for whatever reason, the male will begin to transition into a female and the next most dominant juvenile will transition into a female. Hierarchy is wired into their basic reproduction strategy!

Great information. Thanks. It explains why the other clowns are not growing along with the other fish in the tank.

I’m adding 2 new anemones today to try and house them.