Violence between clownfish

[valley]

Hello, I just bought a pair of clownfish today from my LFS. I got them home in about an hour and floated for 20 min then drip acclimated for 30 min. I have a bta but it hasn’t been hosted. They seemed pretty much fine but now I’m noticing that the larger female is attacking the smaller male. She’s biting and pushing him. Is this normal? Maybe this is only happening because they’re both still getting used to the tank? I’m just afraid that she might end up killing the male. They seemed fine at the LFS and were among other types of fish. I also saw them be fed and they ate fine. I’ve only fed a little bit of flakes and the female did eat but I’m not sure if the male did.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Usually this is normal. The female shows dominance to the male, especially while pairing up.

I believe it's possible your LFS just recently added them to the tank together, and maybe they haven't paired yet.

I wouldn't worry about it to much, unless the female actually starts damaging the male.

If that happens, you need to put the female in "jail". Get a breeders box, and keep the female in there for a few days to a week. Then, reunite the 2.

 

[valley]

I wouldn't worry about it to much, unless the female actually starts damaging the male.

If that happens, you need to put the female in "jail". Get a breeders box, and keep the female in there for a few days to a week. Then, reunite the 2.

How can I tell if the female has done some damage to the male? The male is already starting to swim in like a more panicked/weird way but I don’t see any fin damage.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

How can I tell if the female has done some damage to the male? The male is already starting to swim in like a more panicked/weird way but I don’t see any fin damage.

You will see it.

Nipped/damaged fins are usually the most obvious to see.

 

[valley]

You will see it.

Nipped/damaged fins are usually the most obvious to see.

Alright, thank you for the help! I’ll be on the lookout.

 

[SteelTanker54]

How is this situation now? I’m going through a similar thing. I just put the female in isolation in the tank today after she has damaged the male’s fins.