Clown distreesed?

[Dawn II]

I've had an Amph. Ocellaris probably over 2 years now that thinks my large Squamosis clam is his anenome. He's never been a problem, until one day- about 2 months ago- a piece of rock came loose near the clam and had to be reglued. He started biting at my husbands rings- funny at first, but then it progressed to attacking anytime we put our hands in the water. We tried the Tunze thin gloves, but he bites through these, and the thick gloves are too difficult to use for most things other that when cleaning. Last night I easily caught him and put him in a qt. tank that has live rock, sand, and a reef background. he seems highly aggitated this morning, swimming around and trying to get into the reef background. I am thinking of giving him away, but will my clam suffer (miss the closeness of the clown)? Will the clown calm down, or stress himself to death? Thank you.

 

[JetCat USA]

the clam is undoubtedly happier that the clown is gone and the clown is just acting normal for being relocated. the aggression is quiet normal too.

 

[Dawn II]

Thank you Jetcat- he wouldn't eat when I put the food in. How lond will he act like this? I feel sorry for him, and thought about putting him back.

 

[JetCat USA]

she's a her , I'd of left her in the tank, she's just being her natural self. once she's accustomed to her new surroundings she'll settle in there and be fine so it's your call.

 

[Dawn II]

Left the clown in the original reef tank?

 

[JetCat USA]

yes.

 

[Slakker]

Clowns are pretty notorious for biting an aquarists hands while they're cleaning or otherwise playing in the tank. My female bit me a couple of times the other day while I was doing a water change, and yours can certainly be expected to be defensive of her "host" clam.

Also, other assorted bit of advice, I would remove rings and stuff from your hands before going in the tank...you can never be too careful about what metals you're putting in your tank.