my killer clown

michael lyons · Jun 11, 2019

Hi, this is my first post here, and i need help on what to do with my clown (black & white Ocellaris clown) . I have had him for about 2 years with no problems but now he has turned psychotic and has killed all my shrimp (2 peppermint and 1 cleaner ) . I know it was him , I have seen him picking at them all the time then they show up dead sooner or later. I only have a yellow watchman goby left and i am afraid to get anything else. its a 29 gallon bio cube.I would like to keep him
My question is , I have only one tank if i take him out put him in bag (like when i bought him) and keep him out of tank for couple hours and rearrange coral then add some shrimp and or new fish do you think that might cure him of his killing spree ?

Peace River · Jun 11, 2019

michael lyons said:
Hi, this is my first post here, and i need help on what to do with my clown (black & white Ocellaris clown) . I have had him for about 2 years with no problems but now he has turned psychotic and has killed all my shrimp (2 peppermint and 1 cleaner ) . I know it was him , I have seen him picking at them all the time then they show up dead sooner or later. I only have a yellow watchman goby left and i am afraid to get anything else. its a 29 gallon bio cube.I would like to keep him
My question is , I have only one tank if i take him out put him in bag (like when i bought him) and keep him out of tank for couple hours and rearrange coral then add some shrimp and or new fish do you think that might cure him of his killing spree ?

Yes, rearranging the aquascaping may help. Similarly, adding another small ocellaris may help, but neither are guaranteed solutions. With a second clown there likely will be some aggression before (and if) they bond. Clowns are wired for hierarchy and dominance and it is hard to know when or what will trigger it.

Personally I would not put her in a bag. If you drain 2-3 gallons from the main tank into a 5 gallon bucket and add an air stone she will be okay while you make your changes.

Also, I encourage you to introduce yourself by starting a thread in the “Meet and Greet Forum”.

MombasaLionfish · Jun 11, 2019

Peace River said:
Yes, rearranging the aquascaping may help. Similarly, adding another small ocellaris may help, but neither are guaranteed solutions. With a second clown there likely will be some aggression before (and if) they bond. Clowns are wired for hierarchy and dominance and it is hard to know when or what will trigger it.

Personally I would not put her in a bag. If you drain 2-3 gallons from the main tank into a 5 gallon bucket and add an air stone she will be okay while you make your changes.

Also, I encourage you to introduce yourself by starting a thread in the “Meet and Greet Forum”.

+1 Also start a build thread.

Katrina71 · Jun 11, 2019

Let's see a pic of this beast!

michael lyons · Jun 11, 2019

Peace River said:
Yes, rearranging the aquascaping may help. Similarly, adding another small ocellaris may help, but neither are guaranteed solutions. With a second clown there likely will be some aggression before (and if) they bond. Clowns are wired for hierarchy and dominance and it is hard to know when or what will trigger it.

Personally I would not put her in a bag. If you drain 2-3 gallons from the main tank into a 5 gallon bucket and add an air stone she will be okay while you make your changes.

Also, I encourage you to introduce yourself by starting a thread in the “Meet and Greet Forum”.

Ok thanks for advice , and i will go to that forum