Female aggression

[cet98]

So I have these two together for about a month and they are the only fish in the tank along with two BTAs and Yuma mushrooms.
She is continually bullying him and even after backing down to her, he always attempts to be beside her.

While I know that aggression is normal in pairing clowns, will she eventually ease up on him or should I be concerned that she might eventually kill him?

Thank you for any non-anecdotal feedback.

View attachment 20251228_184331_C639A120-C23D-4484-9434-E488E5117F5D.mov

 

[kevgib67]

So I have these two together for about a month and they are the only fish in the tank along with two BTAs and Yuma mushrooms.
She is continually bullying him and even after backing down to her, he always attempts to be beside her.

While I know that aggression is normal in pairing clowns, will she eventually ease up on him or should I be concerned that she might eventually kill him?

Thank you for any non-anecdotal feedback.

Yes this is normal at first. How long have they been together. I know it’s different to the naked eye but they both look large.

 

[Tahoe61]

If the male displays torn fins, constantly hides or is hugging the surface than you should intervene. You can put the female in a breeder box time out, and move the scape around a little if the aggression intensifies.

 

[DietDr.Kelp]

She doesn't seem to be doing anything overly aggressive (from what I viewed in your attached clip). Was she in the tank prior to him being added? If so, for how long?

Changing the rockwork a little could "reset" her and make her more receptive to him.

 

[cet98]

Thank you all….
She is definitely larger than him.
She is roughly 1-1/2” and he is around an 1”.

They were both introduced to the tank together but they are from different retail shops.

They have been together in this tank for 4-5 weeks.
Some days are better than others regarding her aggression.
Her aggression definitely intensifies when food is present.
He does have slight fin nips but nothing significant.
He does the submissive shake to her from time to time but mostly he just wants to be beside her.

 

[Tahoe61]

^ Sounds normal. These spats seem to ocurr spontaneously and then level off.

 

[kevgib67]

Thank you all….
She is definitely larger than him.
She is roughly 1-1/2” and he is around an 1”.

They were both introduced to the tank together but they are from different retail shops.

They have been together in this tank for 4-5 weeks.
Some days are better than others regarding her aggression.
Her aggression definitely intensifies when food is present.
He does have slight fin nips but nothing significant.
He does the submissive shake to her from time to time but mostly he just wants to be beside her.

Sounds exactly how mine started out, you should be fine and it should end.

 

[cet98]

View attachment 20251228_193253_F22EEFB0-1CD5-4BB4-A76B-4AF4FCBF5C2C.mov
Just took this vid. Here you can see she will lay or do her dominant dance for him too…Could she just be toying with him to confirm her dominance?

 

[DietDr.Kelp]

I agree, it sounds normal. When I first added a male to my established female maroon, she was downright foul to him. I had to remove them both and put them in the sump for a month to make her accept him (the new environment straightened her out). He would do the same as yours is doing with the submissive behavior and attempted to be close, and she would wallop him. They are both gentle towards each other and cruise around now.