clown fish fighting

[geffhardy2]

Hey guys ive been away for a while good to be back. I have a 55gal and 20 gal. i bought two clown fish same size about 2 years ago. one clown got sick and i moved him to a holding tank and cured him. i tried to put him back and their was bad fighting between the two. that was about 5 months ago so i put him back in the holding tank. i had to shut down the holding tank he has been living in about two days ago. as i am turning his tank into a home for my 3rd mantis shrimp. i put him back in the 55 and their was fighting right off top. they fought though the night but once i turn the light off they calm down. every thing seem like it would work out day2 they would sometimes swim next to each other. but before i went to sleep last night they went t it again. today the fighting has been small to none. they keep trying to outdo each other. its like a game

my question is can they live together or will the fights keep going. i understand one clown has taken the whole 55 as his territory and i feel bad because i know he thinks he must get rid of his one time best friend???

 

[davocean]

My guess is the one in the 55g was the male, but in absence of the female it could have changed sex.
If fighting is excessive, fin tearing, possible death, you may need to pull one.

 

[geffhardy2]

thanks....today was not bad ..but im not sure if they will make it..might go in another direction with the fish in my coral ready 55. i only have a tiger pistal and yellow watchman with inverts.

 

[Moonstream]

is there jaw locking? torn fins/ clear skin lacerations? its up to you when you want to pull them, but I'd give it a week unless there are serious injuries (as in, visible bite marks, etc). if its to the point that you're "not sure they will make it" though, I'd pull one/both and seperate them.

what species are they? I assume percula or ocellaris, in which case I would probably ride it out (my perc pair had a rough beginning) but if they're a larger species, I'd probably pull them.

 

[geffhardy2]

ok thanks guys and yes their percula. its been 3 days now and the fighting has stopped for the most part. I think they will be fine thanks for the help.