Female Clarkii Threatened With a Timeout....

[grabbermj]

So I bought my first fish from the local fish store (Petco) about 4 months ago. I told the fish associate that I had a new 65g tank and I wanted to get 4 fish for it that would all get along. He suggested a pair of tomato clowns and a pair of Clarkii clowns. After doing some research after the fact, I realized that it can be risky putting 2 species of clowns in a tank together the way I did. That was my mistake, I should done the research before I bought the fish. That being said, they seem to get fine so far. The problem that I am having is between the two Clarkii. In the past few weeks the female is relentlessly committed to harassing the male. She has always been the dominant one, but she has been pretty nasty lately. On more than one occasion my wife has threatened her with a timeout.... I am starting to get concerned about the male and was wondering if this is normal? She has also made a nest in the sand that is inside a cave. I thought my wave pumps were doing it so I was smoothing it out but this evening I saw her in there clearing the sand out. Is breeding a possibility? I didn't think they would do that in a newly established tank?

 

[Peace River]

Yes, this is normal clown behavior. Clowns are wired for dominance and they will often establish that through aggression. Although they may not be breeding yet, what you are describing sounds like breeding behavior. As a side note, putting the female in time out may help or it may reset the dominance process.

...and yes, IMO two pairs of clownfish in a 65g is a high risk that likely will require separation at some point. Good luck!