Jeph
New Member
Hi there, not sure if this is the correct part of the forum to ask for help - I'm having an issue where the resident female clown (ocellaris) is constantly harassing my Duncan coral.
The Ducan has been in our mixed reef 42gal (160L) tank for almost 6 months now, and has been spot-fed with a squirt of artemia daily where possible. It is about 5 inches tall and has put out a few new heads and growing healthy. We have a mated pair of Ocellaris clowns who have up until two weeks ago, had zero interest in the Duncan coral, even during feeding time. During feeding time, the fish are fed pellets first (both clowns have a healthy appetite and consume most of it), then the fish are distract-fed with some artemia/mysis, while the Duncan & Torch corals are spot fed the same.
The behaviour of the female clown change two weeks ago, when she suddenly decided to start pecking at the Duncan. Initially this was for artemia crumbs hanging on the tentacle tips after spot feeding, but now she is constantly inspecting the Duncan outside of feeding time. She frequently nibbles the tentacles, causing them to appear squished or "chewed on" (like when someone chews the edge of a pen cap??) The Duncan so far hasn't retraced any of its heads, but the tentacles are visibly stubbier and less showy. I'm worried about the Duncan coral in the long-run.
She has so far managed to steal artemia directly from the Duncan's mouths before, so nowadays I have to hover around the Duncan after spot feeding, and only walk away after the Duncan has "swallowed" their food and opened up again. Aside from the nibbling, she has not tried to rest/nestle on the Duncan. (The torch is relatively new and has been ignored so far)
Notably her male mate does not do this, but would just chill out near her while she has her go at the Duncan.
View attachment 3804936
(photo of Duncan tentacle in her mouth - sorry for the resolution! She stops doing this and acts like an angel when I get close to the tank)
Also tonight was the first time I've seen her try to "mouth"/bite one of the appendages from the Sinularia (located at the other end of the tank)?? She was literally stuck there with the sinularia in her mouth (like a dog with a chew toy), and I had to use a turkey baster to disturb her into dropping the Sinularia. The Sinularia has been in the tank for about as long as she is: she likes swimming through it but has never tried to physically put it in her mouth.
View attachment 3804939
(photo of her "mouthing" the sinularia and looking very ridiculous)
Has anyone had similar experiences with a very "nibblely/bitey" Ocellaris clown? Is she trying to host?? Will this behaviour evolve into where she's eating/destroying the corals that she chooses? Will the Duncan (& sinularia) survive? What is the recommended action going forward? All and any advice is greatly welcomed :loudly-crying-face:
The Ducan has been in our mixed reef 42gal (160L) tank for almost 6 months now, and has been spot-fed with a squirt of artemia daily where possible. It is about 5 inches tall and has put out a few new heads and growing healthy. We have a mated pair of Ocellaris clowns who have up until two weeks ago, had zero interest in the Duncan coral, even during feeding time. During feeding time, the fish are fed pellets first (both clowns have a healthy appetite and consume most of it), then the fish are distract-fed with some artemia/mysis, while the Duncan & Torch corals are spot fed the same.
The behaviour of the female clown change two weeks ago, when she suddenly decided to start pecking at the Duncan. Initially this was for artemia crumbs hanging on the tentacle tips after spot feeding, but now she is constantly inspecting the Duncan outside of feeding time. She frequently nibbles the tentacles, causing them to appear squished or "chewed on" (like when someone chews the edge of a pen cap??) The Duncan so far hasn't retraced any of its heads, but the tentacles are visibly stubbier and less showy. I'm worried about the Duncan coral in the long-run.
She has so far managed to steal artemia directly from the Duncan's mouths before, so nowadays I have to hover around the Duncan after spot feeding, and only walk away after the Duncan has "swallowed" their food and opened up again. Aside from the nibbling, she has not tried to rest/nestle on the Duncan. (The torch is relatively new and has been ignored so far)
Notably her male mate does not do this, but would just chill out near her while she has her go at the Duncan.
View attachment 3804936
(photo of Duncan tentacle in her mouth - sorry for the resolution! She stops doing this and acts like an angel when I get close to the tank)
Also tonight was the first time I've seen her try to "mouth"/bite one of the appendages from the Sinularia (located at the other end of the tank)?? She was literally stuck there with the sinularia in her mouth (like a dog with a chew toy), and I had to use a turkey baster to disturb her into dropping the Sinularia. The Sinularia has been in the tank for about as long as she is: she likes swimming through it but has never tried to physically put it in her mouth.
View attachment 3804939
(photo of her "mouthing" the sinularia and looking very ridiculous)
Has anyone had similar experiences with a very "nibblely/bitey" Ocellaris clown? Is she trying to host?? Will this behaviour evolve into where she's eating/destroying the corals that she chooses? Will the Duncan (& sinularia) survive? What is the recommended action going forward? All and any advice is greatly welcomed :loudly-crying-face:
