Clownfish are being crazy

[Epicanimal]

I have a pair of clowns and they have been fighting for about 2 weeks now. When i first got them they were swimming fine like a pair but now its gotten out of hand. The one clownfish (it's a domino clown) is very tattered and more orange than black on the body. It also subdued to a corner and not allowed to come come swim without the other one getting mad and attacking.

 

[Mjrenz]

I have a pair of clowns and they have been fighting for about 2 weeks now. When i first got them they were swimming fine like a pair but now its gotten out of hand. The one clownfish (it's a domino clown) is very tattered and more orange than black on the body. It also subdued to a corner and not allowed to come come swim without the other one getting mad and attacking.

Were they bonded when you got them? Pics would help

 

[Mjrenz]

Double post

 

[Jon Fishman]

Not sure if you’re just venting, or seeking advice....... If the latter, I’d say rehome one. Are they both Domino Clowns, or is the aggressor something else? Perhaps an isolated box/observation thing for the other for a bit to remove territorial habits may help. Are they roughly the same size? If so, that could be the problem

 

[Epicanimal]

Not sure if you’re just venting, or seeking advice....... If the latter, I’d say rehome one. Are they both Domino Clowns, or is the aggressor something else? Perhaps an isolated box/observation thing for the other for a bit to remove territorial habits may help. Are they roughly the same size? If so, that could be the problem

Yes they are both domino clowns and they are about the same size but one is bigger.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

I had this same thing happen to my clowns that lived peacefully together for over a year. Out of no where the female started attacking the Male and never gave up. I tried separating them for weeks, I tried using a acclimation box, nothing worked for me. I eventually re homed them both to separate people.

 

[Epicanimal]

Double post

this is the one always in the corner

this ones okay

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Mine did the exact same thing, had the smaller one cornered at the top of the tank and wouldn't let him move at all.

 

[Epicanimal]

Yeah I don't really know what to do because I don't have a separate place for the other clown

 

[Jinko]

Yeah I don't really know what to do because I don't have a separate place for the other clown

Take it back to the LFS?
Or Sump it? If you have one.

 

[Epicanimal]

I don't have a sump. And I'm not sure if i could take it back as I've had them for a while.

 

[Xam]

I don't have a sump. And I'm not sure if i could take it back as I've had them for a while.

Its 50/50 it seems, but some LFS will let you trade fish in for others. This may also depend on your relationship and trust with that lfs. I'd give it a shot, they can just say yes or no. :)

Sorry about your probs mate.

 

[Epicanimal]

Hmm. If I did do this which one should i trade? The aggressive one or the non aggressive one.

 

[Aardvark1134]

Well you need the new one to be a smaller male vs whatever one you keep.

 

[Epicanimal]

Of course. However I want to try the box method first. Could i make one at home?

 

[Aardvark1134]

One thing to keep in mind and this will be unpopular. If you do a month long QT on a male clown by it's self that may be enough time for it to decide to be a female. For best chances of it still being a male by the time you get it in your tank it will have to be very small or skip QT. Honestly best way may be trade in both for a bonded pair or at least 2 little ones you can QT together.

I suppose you could move the one you keep into the QT tank with the new one to keep the new one from changing.

 

[Epicanimal]

Even if it was in the tank? I mean like an acclimation box

 

[Aardvark1134]

That should work as the big one will definitely explain who is the boss through the glass.

 

[Epicanimal]

Okay Could i make one at home by simply cutting holes in a container?

 

[Aardvark1134]

You could but if you want a nice one these come in small and medium and afterwards make a good frag rack