clown fish attacking my hand

[7808]

so today i dumped too much food in my tank on accident, so i grabed the net, fished it out, figured might as well take care of this algae problem while im at it, i have a good amount on the rocks on one side of my tank

so i grab a bucket and start reaching in and pulling some off, they didnt seem mad or agressive at 1st, but i pulled on a patch that grows oddly out of one rock on the other side of the tank for the rest of the algae, towards where they hang out, i dont know if it was a nest or what but the large one rammed my hand when i was pulled algae off that rock. after that he pretty much was trying to scare me off anytime i put my hand in, charged it 2 more times lol

anyone know whats up with this?

 

[7808]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FcPJQRKE-Y video of one attack lol

 

[Slakker]

Clownfish get pretty feisty and defensive at times, especially if you happen to be plucking at things near where they like to sleep or are making a nest

 

[KMP]

that's why mine went bye bye - i don't like it when something bites the hand that feeds it.

 

[tmz]

Female tomato clown bites me everyday, plastic gloves help.

 

[Zaita]

Unfortunately this is not behaviour that is likely to stop. Our male Occ clown has become very aggressive when we are cleaning in their territory.

Gloves are a good way to get around this, or you can just chase them into their host (anem for us) with your hand. Be wary, they can draw blood if they decide too.

 

[Anemone]

Yep, my female GSM draws blood just about every time I have my hand in the tank.

Kevin

 

[Reef Ruler]

I believe their are false percs (occelaris) not true percs.

You could just deal with it and maybe theyd learn its not doing anything and stop. However, it may also make them do it harder.

I just make a fist when my female occ. starts going after me, let her bite the heck out of me, and continue what I was doing with shes done.

 

[gsxunv04]

My GSM is viscious as all get out. But its the personality of the fish that keeps me interested in it and not take it to the lfs for a trade

 

[baitshopboy]

My female attacked my hand once. I thought it was cute... Like...awwwww she is protecting her man, how sweet.

 

[Mike31154]

After all, it's their home you are encroaching on. Not sure I would go to the extreme of removing a feisty clown just because it's defending its territory! I have a female Maroon that has taken the odd run at my hand, but never drawn blood. I also reach into the tank to remove algae from time to time and find that if my movements are slow and deliberate, she's less aggressive, even when I'm working close to her anemone. I'm sure I've read somewhere that some owners are able to hand feed their clownfish. You've got to admire a creature that will attack something substantially larger in size to defend its home.

 

[tmz]

I admire mine every day but it still hurts and bleeds. If I move slow and deliberately without gloves I may need stitches.

 

[Zaita]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12541565#post12541565 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mike31154
After all, it's their home you are encroaching on. Not sure I would go to the extreme of removing a feisty clown just because it's defending its territory! I have a female Maroon that has taken the odd run at my hand, but never drawn blood. I also reach into the tank to remove algae from time to time and find that if my movements are slow and deliberate, she's less aggressive, even when I'm working close to her anemone. I'm sure I've read somewhere that some owners are able to hand feed their clownfish. You've got to admire a creature that will attack something substantially larger in size to defend its home.

I Agree. The funniest video clip I've seen was a diver moving his hand towards a little occ/perc clown and the clown started attacking him =\ I mean the diver is like 100x the size of the lil clown