Can a clownfish be taught NOT to bite the hand that feeds it?

[Riqaq]

Our female Clown goes absolutely crazy at the JBL Handy aquarium scraper (which is light blue). She is fine with anything else, including hands.

 

[Dorsetsteve]

My Tomato’s were ferocious. But they eventually lost interest in me, how? Well I think in part it was because I simply started to stand my ground, click my fingers at them underwater etc. Many fish grunt and click when annoyed and they seemed to get the hint. Disclaimer, I did loose a bit of blood before I won that process :lol:

 

[AlexandraDreadlocksPanda]

Nope, don’t see the attraction in clowns, especially when they can be such little tw@ts.

 

[i cant think]

Nope, don’t see the attraction in clowns, especially when they can be such little tw@ts.

They add a perfect little symbiotic relationship to the tank.

 

[NanoJHB]

My two occs are such softies, had the female for a year and a half now. The little male will occasionally have a run at my hand but when he sees that the boss isn't backing him up, he retreats very quickly lol

 

[Cook]

I have two mated pairs of Ocellaris (in separate tanks) and while mine don't bite, the females will meet me halfway from wherever my hand is in the tank compared to where they are.

 

[reefsaver]

I was honestly expecting way more Yes's. My Clownfish has bitten my arm while cleaning so many times. As soon as the arm's in she inspects and sizes it up, She's violent as. Like imagine fishing and remember how powerful a small fish is, the dang Clownfish is no exception, it's like a mini snapper with no teeth grabbing a skin full and hucking at you before letting go as you spasm and quote "holy hell".

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

I must be very fortunate, because this is my second pair of clowns, and none have ever tried to bite me. Mine are always super sweet and will even gently nibble food from my hand at feeding time!

Beautiful clowns what types are they

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

Felicia is a dragon, and bites any chance she has.

What type is Felicia (I like to name my fish too)

 

[OrchidMiss]

What type is Felicia (I like to name my fish too)

Felicia is a Gold Dot Maroon

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

Felicia is a Gold Dot Maroon

Thanks!

 

[MamaP]

Beautiful clowns what types are they

Thank you! Snowstorm and Naked with Dots Clowns, a.k.a. Barry and Iris, lol. I love my lil dudes!

 

[The_ReefB0y_FOX24]

Thank you! Snowstorm and Naked with Dots Clowns, a.k.a. Barry and Iris, lol. I love my lil dudes!

Thank you!

 

[immaman2011]

They add a perfect little symbiotic relationship to the tank.

Truth. I love that clowns are usually the sheriff's in town, especially when you have a tank that's under 55gal.

 

[carbasaurus]

My first ocellaris “Nemo” clown was so aggressive and bitey, I renamed him “River Monster”

 

[jdloftness]

If you have clownfish chances are they have bit you or tried to bite you! I've been very fortunate over the years to have clownfish pairs who don't really bite that often or ever really. BUT from what I've read over the years it's pretty common to have biting clowns! It's annoying because things get wet, corals get accidentally fragged and so on and so forth. What I'm wondering is, is there a way to teach them not to bite? Let's chat about it!

Have you ever turned a biting clownfish into a docile clownfish and if so how?

image source

My clownfish, Bonnie & Clyde, are very territorial. If Bonnie could talk, I'm certain she would tell me, "I can't kill you, but I want to."

 

[fluked]

My clowns have never bit me,
My melanarus wrasse used to bite my wrists however

 

[jeffchapok]

Here's the only method I know.

 

[reeftopia_]

My female used to nip at my elbows ( I have no idea why) when she did this I “fought back” or just ignored her and kept doing what I was doing. eventually she just stopped haven’t been nipped by her in a while.

They’re not yet fully grown (bigger one is about 2.5 Inches the little one is probably shy of 2)

your corals look beautiful!

 

[Nhjmc]

I've had some that were vicious especially a clarki I had...had being key word he/she was so aggressive I had to "donate" to LFS.