Clownfish Aggression

[thesilence87]

I have two clownfish that I've had for about 36 hours now, and they were all buddy buddy till this afternoon. Now, the slightly larger one seems to be increasingly bullying the smaller one. Is this normal? They're both ocellaris clowns, and they're both just juvi's.

 

[mahimahi]

If you have another tank stick the bigger one in there for a while then re-introduce him

 

[smallblock]

The larger one will be the female and in control. What do you mean by bullying. Do they ever sort of get face to face and the smaller one starts shaking/rocking back n forth?

 

[thesilence87]

The larger one harassingly chases the smaller one for a bit, then the smaller one turns face to face and looks like it's giving the fish version of an apology. This happens repeatedly, and there haven't been any serious injuries, I'm just worried about the smaller one getting stressed or becoming a reclusive fish. I looked it up and some people say it's normal behavior, but it seems like it's divided whether or not it's normal. They come together for like 15 seconds to a minute at a time, and then the bigger one will drive the smaller one to the other side of the tank.

 

[jj ocean]

Based on the info you gave ... only having them 36 hours and them being juvi's, I would say this is very normal. As long as fins aren't being torn and the one being bullied is getting food, I would let them sort it out in the same tank. They're just establishing the pecking order. It may take a couple weeks.

 

[thesilence87]

It sounds like the male clownfish really gets the short end of the stick on the bonding ritual.

They are both eating fine, and they're both active and swimming out in the open. I got them from a school of clowns at Pure Reef, there were probably 40+ clowns in the school.

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I'll keep an eye on the little guys and hope they stop abusing each other soon.

 

[smallblock]

They will, its no big deal. Keep us updated and we love pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rdnelson]

My pair of clowns are pretty close to the same size. I have had them for almost 2 months and have seen no aggression at all. They were not in a tank by themselves when I got them so I thought they would exhibit this kind of behavior but nothing yet. Not sure if they are just too young or what? Size wise, they don't look that young but.......

 

[thesilence87]

Barbara;692349 wrote: Have fun and let us know your progress. I think a pair of clowns is probably one of the most fun parts of the saltwater hobby, and there's a ton of information out there on the web about it, making it easier to do these days.

I will definitely do that .

xxfruitytuy87xx;692433 wrote: I bought 2 clownfish a few weeks ago and within 24 hrs (while I slept) one killed the other. :[ They were definitely too close in size thought the man who sold it to me said they'd be fine.

I'll have my fingers crossed that this doesn't happen. Since they're now of day three of being together and their fighting seems to be getting rarer, I think I'm okay.