Two bullies in my tank

[shayanlion]

Hello,

I had 2 snowflake clownfish and one neon dottyback and they were getting along fine. Then I bought midnight Oscellaris clownfish and went away from home for like 10 days. I came back and my smaller snowflake was gone I only found some of its remains. And ever since, the midnight is harassing the other snowflake. All the time cornering the snowflake. I have seen the midnight shaking near the snowflake when it goes to other places around the tank and intimidating. I also recently bought a royal gramma and my dottyback is not getting along with it since the first day. The royal gramma is cornered as well. I don't want to get rid of any of them that will be my last choice. Could anyone help me with what should I do? I was thinking of buying one more of the weaker ones but not sure if that is going to help.

My tank is 45G and everyone gets food as well I have increased the frequency of feeding.

 

[Cpc83]

Ok so long answer short. If you want more then a pair of clowns or really most fish that are similar shape and color and family you must feed heavy heavy and make sure they have plenty of places to claim as there own

 

[shayanlion]

So you are saying if I get one more of the weaker ones it is possible they will attack each other? Feeding is fine, the space may be a problem.

 

[jabberwock]

You got a bunch of aggressive fish. Not sure there is a solution that you would be happy with.

 

[argiBK]

So you are saying if I get one more of the weaker ones it is possible they will attack each other? Feeding is fine, the space may be a problem.

It’s not an issue of space (unless your tank is very large, i.e. 6+ feet long), it’s that these species have specific tolerances for their own kind because of their territorial nature.

Clownfish females (and mated pairs) will move to eliminate an extra clowns in their territory. Since all 3 of your clowns are oscellaris, likely the midnight was already female, or, paired with the surviving snowflake and together they moved to eliminate the third.

Dottybacks will not tolerate any fish that shares a similar body shape in their territory. I'd recommend rehoming it if you want to keep the gramma (or any similarly shaped fish in the future).

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

So you had a pair of clowns and you got a third? Clowns should not be grouped in 3’s, they will often kill off the third.

Neon dottybacks are normally aggressive fish. Very important to research fish compatibility before purchase.