Clownfish aggression after 2 years?

[One Reefing Boi]

I have 2 clowns (oscelaris or however you spell it) that I have had since they were pretty small. About 2 years now. One is clearly larger and the female and has been since I got them. The other is smaller and clearly the male.

2 years and zero issues whatsoever with them or other tank mates (2 pajama cardinals, McKoskers Wrasse, and a Royal gramma) and over the last 2-3 weeks the female clown has been attacking the male. The male looks beat up with nipped fins and white lips and just looks ragged. He is now hiding in my rock work (small cave where female can’t get him and she hovers outside the entrance). She then chases him around the tank aggressively whenever he decides to come out. Not the “normal” domination/vibrating/twitching - seems like full blown aggression.

No other issues with any of the other tank mates, she just goes after him. Any ideas what could’ve caused this?

 

[CKW]

Yup! Welcome to the Clown World. There a reason they are called clowns.

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Yup! Welcome to the Clown World. There a reason they are called clowns.

Oh boy

Think it is something that will pass or do you think it might be something that the female will kill the male? Ik it’s hard without pictures and things like that

 

[kevgib67]

Oh boy

Think it is something that will pass or do you think it might be something that the female will kill the male? Ik it’s hard without pictures and things like that

Ya, I had a similar situation, I bought two juveniles, slightly less than an inch. Swam and slept together for a year and a half. Got back from a weeks vacation and the one was at the sand bed nearly beat to death as I watched the other dive bombing him. I put him in an acclimation box but he didn’t survive. I added another with at least a half inch difference without any problems.

 

[Uncle99]

Ready for breeding and rejected by female?

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Ready for breeding and rejected by female?

Maybe? Was like a light switch was flipped

 

[vetteguy53081]

Clowns in general are territorial and can get quite nasty when ready

 

[Lavey29]

Ready for breeding and rejected by female?

I know the feeling. Story of my life.

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Clowns in general are territorial and can get quite nasty when ready

Should I get a new pair, or try and just swap the male for another small one?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Should I get a new pair, or try and just swap the male for another small one?

At times, isolation in an acclimation box helps, or placing aggressor in the sump
If not, a new pair

 

[One Reefing Boi]

At times, isolation in an acclimation box helps, or placing aggressor in the sump
If not, a new pair

I can try a box, but unfortunately don’t have a sump (AIO)

Thanks!

 

[PharmrJohn]

I had the same issue with bullying after a peaceful year without issue. My experience was not as bad though. The male ended up knowing its place in the end. I added some hiding places in the aquascape and that seemed to work alright. At least he could hide from Mama when issues arose.

 

[jay1976]

I know the feeling. Story of my life.

Hilarious..........

 

[Reef Psychology]

I can try a box, but unfortunately don’t have a sump (AIO)

Thanks!

Tape or hang a mirror to the side of the tank she stays on and she’ll leave him alone. After a few days try removing it and see what happens. Sometimes it works and sometimes not, but it’s an easy and cheap solution. Make sure the mirror is large enough that she can see herself from a distance.

 

[One Reefing Boi]

Hilarious..........

I thought it was pretty funny