Dead clownfish

[FDchase]

So I have had these 2 clowns for 2 and a half years. Got them as baby’s. One just died today. He’s been eating good, hasn’t been picked on by other fish or his partner. Did the female finally snap because the color difference? She is dragging his limp body around the back of the tank.

Also for the last week I have noticed him wandering around the tank alone on occasion. I have a feeling they may have un paired?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So I have had these 2 clowns for 2 and a half years. Got them as baby’s. One just died today. He’s been eating good, hasn’t been picked on by other fish or his partner. Did the female finally snap because the color difference? She is dragging his limp body around the back of the tank.

Also for the last week I have noticed him wandering around the tank alone on occasion. I have a feeling they may have un paired?

That what it sounds like to me, their pair bond broke down. I’ve never seen the carrying of the dead fish around though, that’s wild.

Rebounding this fish is going to be difficult. If you want to try, I’d suggest getting a tank divider so you can separate them if things go south.

 

[World Citizen]

That what it sounds like to me, their pair bond broke down. I’ve never seen the carrying of the dead fish around though, that’s wild.

Rebounding this fish is going to be difficult. If you want to try, I’d suggest getting a tank divider so you can separate them if things go south.

I have seen them doing it while alive. The female grabs the male by the lip and drags it around.

I can not tell what behaviour this is, but I hope someone will comment why the female is dragging the death male around.

While sad, this is interesting behaviour.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have seen them doing it while alive. The female grabs the male by the lip and drags it around.

I can not tell what behaviour this is, but I hope someone will comment why the female is dragging the death male around.

While sad, this is interesting behaviour.

Yes - "lip locking" is a well known symptom of clownfish having a territorial struggle. I've just never seen that with a dead clownfish before.

 

[FDchase]

I have a feeling she is going to end up a single clown, especially if she didn’t like his color difference. I’m just assuming this because all other fish are fine and the 2 clowns are or were, the oldest fish in the tank. She even went completely out of her area to drag his body back. Was not lip locking though. She was using whatever fin was convenient.