Clarkii and Perc - What's Going On???

[phxadrian]

I have one clarkii (huge 4-5") and a rescued perc (1") in my reef tank. They both host in the my fox coral, open brain and huge toadstool leather - alternating between the three. My clarkii has recently became extremely aggressive and now fearlessly attacks my hand :eek1: when i move things around. He/She never used to do this. I moved my fox coral this morning to remove a frag that my blue hippo dragged across the tank and my clarkii attacked me. It seems the two clowns now never leave each others side. The clarkii will no longer let any of my fish near these corals - even my huge blue hippo isn't allowed. What's going on here? Are these two going to make babies or just really good friends? Do clowns mix?

 

[ocellaris123]

Different species of clownfish can come together and pair and produce viable young. Sounds like you have the makings of a pair, but I would still air on the side of caution. Your clarkii can make chowder out of the small percula.

 

[phxadrian]

They have been in the tank together for over a year... it's only been the last three-four months they have been rubbing together in their hosts and sleeping together. Would it still be something I should be cautious about given the time they have been in the tank together???

 

[heap]

sounds like you're seeing aggression between the clarkii and your hand, not between the clarkii and the perc.

this means you have a normal female clarkii who is fond of her territory....and from the sound of it, her male. that's what's different now - she has something to protect. sounds like natural behavior.

if she is keen to the idea, you might mellow her out a bit by hand feeding whatever she happens to enjoy, but...if she wants to be brutal to what she sees as a threat (ie; the 5 fingered thing that enters her tank) she will be.

 

[ocellaris123]

If they have been together for over a year than I wouldn't be overly concerned about it. Sounds like a pair too me.

 

[JamesJR]

perfectly normal. Clarkii's can be really mean.