Are my clownfish fighting?

[bpirkey]

Hello, I've had this pair of clownfish for about 6 months now and for a couple months (maybe 3 or 4) they have been repeatedly doing this behavior. Both were bought from the same LFS and all parameters are normal. They are in a 15 gallon cube tank with live rock, corals, a coral banded shrimp and a couple snails. Neither of them have marks, bruises or cuts on them and their fins look fine. They do this behavior once every couple of minutes - 5 minutes and I can't tell what's going on. If I need to get rid of one I absolutely will, I just don't want them to end up getting hurt.

 

[Peace River]

Please understand that aggression is normal for clownfish. It is actually how they are wired and it is part of their process of establishing dominance which in turn determines their sex (yes, that is really what happens). Sometimes this can be posturing only, but more aggressive behavior is normal and sometimes fin nipping and bullying is not uncommon. If the damage leads to bacterial infection on the fins or body damage then it is time to separate. Too often, the fish are separated during the aggression and then reintroduced which can lead to the dominance process starting from scratch. Once the hierarchy is established then most of the aggression will go away. It may come back for a time as part of the mating process. Good luck to your fish and with whatever direction that you decide to go!

 

[bpirkey]

Please understand that aggression is normal for clownfish. It is actually how they are wired and it is part of their process of establishing dominance which in turn determines their sex (yes, that is really what happens). Sometimes this can be posturing only, but more aggressive behavior is normal and sometimes fin nipping and bullying is not uncommon. If the damage leads to bacterial infection on the fins or body damage then it is time to separate. Too often, the fish are separated during the aggression and then reintroduced which can lead to the dominance process starting from scratch. Once the hierarchy is established then most of the aggression will go away. It may come back for a time as part of the mating process. Good luck to your fish and with whatever direction that you decide to go!

How long does the process to figure out hierarchy take? They've been together for 6 months and it seems like the mostly white one is the one to submit

 

[Peace River]

How long does the process to figure out hierarchy take? They've been together for 6 months and it seems like the mostly white one is the one to submit

It varies across species of clownfish (I have worked with 9 of the 30 or so species of clownfish) and individual pairs. Some fish are super aggressive and others are very submissive so the pairing happens quickly, others never really settle in and their is always a bit of tension even though one may be a bit more dominant. Usually when one starts growing and develops into a female and the size difference becomes obvious (assuming that you started with two of similar size) then that is another sign that the dominance is established and the aggression will likely subside. Good luck!