Nipping fins?

[rraines]

Got these two yesterday - I noticed the smaller ones fins seem to be torn up and I’m wondering if it’s the larger clown? Not 100% if he came like this

 

[CoralB]

The larger of the two is the female . It’s possible that they came like that . If it was me I would have checked them six ways to Sunday’s when I received them and had them quarantine in a separate tank that way you’d know ?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Got these two yesterday - I noticed the smaller ones fins seem to be torn up and I’m wondering if it’s the larger clown? Not 100% if he came like this

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Were these a bonded pair before you acquired them or did you just pair them up in your tank?

While larger clowns are usually female, that is a relative thing….

Clowns are really sly about not fighting while you watch them. One trick is to set you cell phone to video that tank and then leave the room. That will give you a better idea of how they are interacting.

 

[rraines]

The larger of the two is the female . It’s possible that they came like that . If it was me I would have checked them six ways to Sunday’s when I received them and had them quarantine in a separate tank that way you’d know ?

Thank you for the feedback! I definitely learned a lesson about checking them 100% before adding to tank

 

[rraines]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Were these a bonded pair before you acquired them or did you just pair them up in your tank?

While larger clowns are usually female, that is a relative thing….

Clowns are really sly about not fighting while you watch them. One trick is to set you cell phone to video that tank and then leave the room. That will give you a better idea of how they are interacting.

They weren’t bonded but they said that they watch them and try to pair them the best they can. I’ll set my phone up. If they are fighting - what is the best action plan or step?

Thank you so much, seriously!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

They weren’t bonded but they said that they watch them and try to pair them the best they can. I’ll set my phone up. If they are fighting - what is the best action plan or step?

Thank you so much, seriously!

If they are fighting, I would put a tank divider in to separate them for a few weeks and then try again.

 

[rraines]

If they are fighting, I would put a tank divider in to separate them for a few weeks and then try again.

I took a 15 minute video and just skimmedd through and didn’t see any fighting. Just kind of saw the bear one chase the little one, but nothing too crazy… They were swimming all over the place

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I took a 15 minute video and just skimmedd through and didn’t see any fighting. Just kind of saw the bear one chase the little one, but nothing too crazy… They were swimming all over the place

Any chasing can be an issue - remember, the fish only need to make contact once or twice a day to cause fin damage.

In some cases, the clowns do work things out......