Hyper-aggressive clown

Thatgirlnyx · Sep 18, 2026

I have a (ocellaris, maybe snowflake?) clownfish pair in my 60 gal cube. The bigger one (female) is super aggressive. I’ve had her for two years maybe. I got her a friend about a year ago and at first she was beating the crap out of him but now they are friends (well except at feeding time she slap him around if he gets near her while she is eating but fine otherwise). I can’t have any other fish. She killed my starry blenny, she killed my firefish and she killed my tail spot blenny. These fish were not cheap and I was really attached to them so I was very sad she stressed them out so much. My cleaner shrimp I have had for two years also died randomly, I have seen her nibbling him so I suspect her.

I am at my wits end. I have a 60 gal with two fish and I feel so discouraged and just want to get rid of the whole thing. My corals are doing fine and everything but I really wanted to enjoy some fish. I really enjoy blennies and shrimp but I can’t seem to have anything else in there with them other than snails and one urchin.

She also attacks me when I clean the tank. She bit me and wouldn’t let go like a dang piranha. I pulled my hand out fast and she went flying across the room. I put her back in the tank and she continued to attack my hand after that. Is this normal? Any advise?

Thanks

SuperDave · Sep 18, 2026

Trade her in at the LFS. Thats what I did. Got a new pair and all is well.

Dread Pirate Dave · Sep 18, 2026

Thatgirlnyx said:
I have a (ocellaris, maybe snowflake?) clownfish pair in my 60 gal cube. The bigger one (female) is super aggressive. I’ve had her for two years maybe. I got her a friend about a year ago and at first she was beating the crap out of him but now they are friends (well except at feeding time she slap him around if he gets near her while she is eating but fine otherwise). I can’t have any other fish. She killed my starry blenny, she killed my firefish and she killed my tail spot blenny. These fish were not cheap and I was really attached to them so I was very sad she stressed them out so much. My cleaner shrimp I have had for two years also died randomly, I have seen her nibbling him so I suspect her.

I am at my wits end. I have a 60 gal with two fish and I feel so discouraged and just want to get rid of the whole thing. My corals are doing fine and everything but I really wanted to enjoy some fish. I really enjoy blennies and shrimp but I can’t seem to have anything else in there with them other than snails and one urchin.

She also attacks me when I clean the tank. She bit me and wouldn’t let go like a dang piranha. I pulled my hand out fast and she went flying across the room. I put her back in the tank and she continued to attack my hand after that. Is this normal? Any advise?

Thanks

My female tomato clown was just like this. Well I didn't try to keep any other fish but I suspect she'd try and kill them if I did. She and her mate lived in a 20 gallon aqueon tank for 20+ years. I purchased gloves to protect my hands when working in the tank.

If your clown has decided she owns the whole tank then there may not be much you can do other than re-homing her and hoping the next doesn't end up with the same disposition.

exnisstech · Sep 18, 2026

It's her tank now lol. I suppose you could try removing her for a while but it might be easier to rehome her. Maybe re-home her and add some of the other fish you want. The male will transition to female and if he/she doesn't get aggressive with other fish maybe add a small male later if you really want a pair. A single clown doesn't need a mate and they don't get aggressive like a breeding pair. If yours aren't spawning yet the aggression will get worse when they do.