New clownfish being way too aggressive, need help

[ZachariahBeanzz]

So, I posted a bit earlier today about a new clownfish being what seems overly aggressive. I assumed it was just fighting over dominance. But this new clownfish is harassing the other, I’m now noticing torn up fins, and my old clownfish is now gasping at the surface. I took out the troublesome clownfish, and put him in a small gallon container for now, but I don’t know what to do. If you have anything that could help, that would be greatly appreciated. Also, this new clownfish is smaller by a decent amount.
I have another 30g tank, but it also has a pair of clownfish (they’re doing completely fine). And that’s the only fish in that tank

 

[KrisReef]

Sounds like your new fish is a dominant female who doesn't like the older (girl) in her tank? If they fought that hard you probably can't fix their situation, they will kill each other first.

 

[Freenow54]

So, I posted a bit earlier today about a new clownfish being what seems overly aggressive. I assumed it was just fighting over dominance. But this new clownfish is harassing the other, I’m now noticing torn up fins, and my old clownfish is now gasping at the surface. I took out the troublesome clownfish, and put him in a small gallon container for now, but I don’t know what to do. If you have anything that could help, that would be greatly appreciated. Also, this new clownfish is smaller by a decent amount.
I have another 30g tank, but it also has a pair of clownfish (they’re doing completely fine). And that’s the only fish in that tank

That's what toilets are for. I don't like it but what are you going to do ? You can maybe isolate it and try to train it but I don't know how

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Sounds like your new fish is a dominant female who doesn't like the older (girl) in her tank? If they fought that hard you probably can't fix their situation, they will kill each other first.

That’s the weird thing. When I got this new clownfish, I made sure to ask for the smaller one out of the two in the tank. And this clownfish that’s being harassed was the male in its previous relationship(?) I had an unfortunate mishap with some equipment that caused the other one to die. The one that passed was larger, and seemed to be the female.

 

[KrisReef]

That’s the weird thing. When I got this new clownfish, I made sure to ask for the smaller one out of the two in the tank. And this clownfish that’s being harassed was the male in its previous relationship(?) I had an unfortunate mishap with some equipment that caused the other one to die. The one that passed was larger, and seemed to be the female.

The new one doesn't like the old one. These fishes are very particular about who they swim with. Getting them to pair, for them is kind of like you going out with the "perfect" mate that your grandmother picked for you from among some people she ran into at a homeless shelter.

It's kinda risky, works sometimes, but fails often.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

The new one doesn't like the old one. These fishes are very particular about who they swim with. Getting them to pair, for them is kind of like you going out with the "perfect" mate that your grandmother picked for you from among some people she ran into at a homeless shelter.

It's kinda risky, works sometimes, but fails often.

Sadly, yeah, I think that’s what it’s come to. Do you have any advice on what to do? Particularly with this new clownfish being in a container, and the old one gasping at the surface?

 

[Jimmy Smits IV]

Sadly, yeah, I think that’s what it’s come to. Do you have any advice on what to do? Particularly with this new clownfish being in a container, and the old one gasping at the surface?

Will the LFS do a swap?

 

[KrisReef]

Sadly, yeah, I think that’s what it’s come to. Do you have any advice on what to do? Particularly with this new clownfish being in a container, and the old one gasping at the surface?

If you have a sump or an acclimation box you need to keep the separated. Trouble is, if you return the new one you might get another one just like it.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Will the LFS do a swap?

They might, but I live 45 minutes away and won’t be able to make it until next weekend.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

If you have a sump or an acclimation box you need to keep the separated. Trouble is, if you return the new one you might get another one just like it.

I don’t have a sump, and I have these Tupperware containers that I used for acclimation.

 

[Mohawk Mafia]

I had a lfs tell me to add clowns in multiple of 2 when adding to a tank that already has established clowns. I added a clown to my tank with an established bonded pair and it didn't last a day. I didn't see it for weeks till my tube anenome spit up its skeleton. Don't know if what I was told is true, its just what I experienced.

Ryan

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

I’m now keeping the new clownfish in a slightly larger container, but it’s still not suitable to be kept in long term. I’m switching out part of the water (with tank water) every ~45 minutes just to make sure it stays oxygenated, and up to temp. Any ideas on what to do?

 

[pjfish77]

I’m not a fish psychiatrist but I’m fairly certain that clownfish are severely bipolar, my current female decided she was done with my last male so she basically ate all his fins off and let him die. Then when I introduced her to my current male they became inseparable and actually ganged up to kill my cardinalfish . I would try changing the scape if you can to give them „unclaimed“ territory but if that doesn’t work you might just have to pick one to keep by itself. My guy at my LFS actually told me he only keeps one of each species in his tanks because some fish are just so insane lol.