Clarkii Fight/Injury

[jld2112]

I've had 2 Clarkii Clownfish in a 100g tank for about a year now. (These 2 fish were in a 30g for about 2 years before this)
Friday I noticed one the clowns was up in the top, back, left corner of the tank with his head pointing straight down. Hiding behind one of the returns. I watched for a while and noticed the other (the female) just beating the snot out of him then swimming away only to return 10 minutes later to beat him up again. They have always chased each other around and done the 'shivering' thing with each other, but never any injuries.

His pelvic fins are shreaded and she has gotton most of his tail fin now. He is stilll eating (not nearly as much as usual) but spends all of his time in the corner.

I've been wanting to get another anemone for a while (which I did Saturday) and place it in there in the hope that she might be more worried about it then him and give him some time to heal and things get back to normal, but she was still giving him a hard time today at lunch so I'm not really sure what to do.

Questions ??

Should I set up a 10 gallon and move him into it for a few days (weeks) ?

Is this just natural breeding behavior (even though it's a bit aggressive) and let it run it's course ?

Like I said at the top. Friday was the first day out of the 3- 3.5 years these fish have been together that there has been any type of injury at all. They have always been together until Friday.

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated ...

JD

 

[adtravels]

Apparently clarks can go from being a male to a female even when there is a mature female present and you will go from an established pair to sparring females in a short space of time.

This could explain the change in an established pair. This info is from j.wilkersons book I have not experienced it myself.

 

[jld2112]

Thanks for that info ! After re-reading that section in her book I'm thinking I agree with you.

I could not find the fish for about 2 days. I figured the worst, but today my wife called and said that he (she?) was out in view again.

I plan to transfer him to the 'fuge part of the sump at lunch today and see if he will be able to recover from his injuries then take him out to the LFS to hopefully find a happier home.

What does everyone think about adding another smaller Clark back into the 100g with the female ? I was thinking by adding another smaller Clark she would probably be OK with that ??