Clown hates me
- Thread starter SALTYwaterDOG
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CoralsAddiction
Active member
For clown geeks like me the discussion above made me wonder of clownfishes' cognitive skills and ability. Do they associate "punishment" and dominance with a particular person, hand or human beings in general?
ThRoewer
New member
The reason for this aggression is likely that she is alone and has no other outlet.
Why only you? I'm assuming everybody is feeding but you are the only one who is doing maintenance on the tank and moving things around in there. Clowns see that as intrusion into their territory and they have great memory. She has made you out to be a threat to her territory and that's why she attacks you like she would go against a anemone eating butterfly fish.
You can try to scare her but it won't stick.
The only thing that may work is to keep your hands out of the tank as much as possible.
And I would try to get her a partner - lonely clowns get extra grumpy.
Why only you? I'm assuming everybody is feeding but you are the only one who is doing maintenance on the tank and moving things around in there. Clowns see that as intrusion into their territory and they have great memory. She has made you out to be a threat to her territory and that's why she attacks you like she would go against a anemone eating butterfly fish.
You can try to scare her but it won't stick.
The only thing that may work is to keep your hands out of the tank as much as possible.
And I would try to get her a partner - lonely clowns get extra grumpy.
Very interesting. I have a pair of snowflake clowns. They are both rather tolerant of my hand in their tank. I have them in a 65 gallon currently. But if I use a small brush in their area look out! My male, Jackson, attacks my hand. Not the brush! I have been bitten aggressively by him. I have shooed him, even lightly swatted him once, he does it again. I have learned that I can clean his area before the lights come on. He remains much calmer and I do not feel like a bully. My female has never exhibited aggression towards me. They are about 3 years old. I have had them since they were quite small. It is interesting to hear other opinions on this. I wonder how Jackson will behave when I move him to his new, 140 gallon, home. For better or worse?
Shelley
Shelley
mnchartier
Premium Member
I disagree with those two statements. I find they get more aggressive once paired up and even worse when they start breeding.
I have a pair of ocellaris that are about 3 years old in a deep dimension 150, they do lay eggs regularly. I can not have my hands in the tank anywhere without being attacked, she even jumps after your hand when you take it out of the tank. The last water change I did I have bite marks all over my hand from the female, as I could not find my gloves.
davocean
Active member
I agree w/ Mnchartier.
In my years and many clowns it was obvious in behavior change when they took a mate, spawned, and HAD SOMETHING TO PROTECT.
This increased aggression every time.
I will note that my one pair of picasso's, the only tank bred clowns I've had, while they did become more protective and territorial w/ all other fish, they did not w/ me.
I do think tank breds may be more used to hands/human contact, and never had to fend off predators like those in the wild.
And I never flicked them!
In my years and many clowns it was obvious in behavior change when they took a mate, spawned, and HAD SOMETHING TO PROTECT.
This increased aggression every time.
I will note that my one pair of picasso's, the only tank bred clowns I've had, while they did become more protective and territorial w/ all other fish, they did not w/ me.
I do think tank breds may be more used to hands/human contact, and never had to fend off predators like those in the wild.
And I never flicked them!
Jrsdaddy
New member
Lol! I almost spit my beer all over my monitor when I read this! I visioned someone standing over there tank telling their clowns to sit and rollover :fish1::lolspin:
Interestingly most seem to have females who are aggressive. Mine is my male. Jackson has taught me to respect his home. My female, Jillibean, is rather sweet. Makes me appreciate her even more.
And I will never flick Jackson again. I will clean his territory in small increments, before lights turn on.
Shelley
And I will never flick Jackson again. I will clean his territory in small increments, before lights turn on.
Shelley
davocean
Active member
Mine stay buried in their palys until the lights are on. And there is enough natural light for me to see by. Funny thing them and the palys. I have a long tentacles anemone that they ignore. I wish you all luck with your clowns. :fish1:
Shelley
