Clownfish Bullies

[TheHerbanLegend]

So I have 3 Black Ice Clowns all part of the same spawn been in the same tanks their whole lives....I introduced 3 of them to my 30g mixed reef....two of them have bonded and now shun the other out he either hides in a cave or behind the heater/overflow area...when feeding if the other two see him they will go pester him back into his cave or other spot....my question, should this be concerning? Should I relocate the shunned clown? It seems the bonded pair want to mate but I fear they won't with the other clown around.

 

[TheHerbanLegend]

Two of them hanging out the other is hiding

 

[davocean]

This is pretty typical, 3 is usually a crowd, 2 will will usually pair up and the 3rd wheel gets rejected.
I'd rehome it.

 

[Captain Quint]

I agree and you would be doing the poor fella a huge favor in the long run.

Thanks for posting.

It's always hard to rehome one of our loved ones but necessary at times. :(

 

[TheHerbanLegend]

Like yeah he is a $100 fish but I want him to be happy :'/ anyone wanna buy a Black Ice off me?! Lol

 

[TheHerbanLegend]

This is pretty typical, 3 is usually a crowd, 2 will will usually pair up and the 3rd wheel gets rejected.
I'd rehome it.

Yeah thought so thanks man!

 

[TheHerbanLegend]

Okay called LFS they will take him in for me and re-home him

 

[Jjtwsmom]

Why not buy him a partner?

 

[D-Nak]

Why not buy him a partner?

If you mean keeping a second pair in the same tank, that'll make things worse as the two that are established now have two clowns to shun (and eventually kill).