clownfish aggression

[Daddyrawg]

so Ive had 2 percola clown in my 90 for a couple years 1 male 1 female..

I decided to add 2 mocha clowns today and the female clown went crazy attacking the 2 new mocha clown arrivals. she would get a mouth full and just drag the new clowns. Is this typical behavior? I had to grab her and put her in my QT. do you guys think after some time in QT if i put her back in 90 she will be calm or the same and go crazy again?

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Who knows? It's worth a try. As a fall-back consider which pair you'd remove if necessary.

 

[Fiish]

If you have a reef and your corals allow it, disturb the aquascape a little, this can disorient your percula and give new clownfish a new chance. Or you can put an acclimatization box in your tank, and wait to see how the percula behave.

 

[Sk8r]

Moving rocks sometimes helps. Redefines territory. Many don't realize that clowns ARE damselfish, and they have all the attitude. Their clinging to one small territory makes them ok in many reefs, but that's why 2 pair may never settle.

 

[Sounds Fishy]

Probably isolating it will only have a temporary positive effect.It will initially behave when returned to the community aquarium howeverthe process will repeat again unfortunately

 

[billdogg]

What all of them have said. Clowns/Damsels are very territorial and will defend their space at all costs.

That the original pair have been in there for a couple years means that, at least in their little minds, the entire tank is THEIRS! If anything, I'd remove the percs to a QT tank for a couple weeks and allow the new ones to find a space to claim, then add the percs back in.

FWIW - in nearly 2000 dives, I've only been attacked by one fish - a dusky damsel - who drew blood. Startled the heck outa me at first, then I could hardly stop laughing at the mighty mite!

 

[Sk8r]

Yep, and they get teeth as they mature. My clarkiis would bite my hand bloody if I didn't wear gloves.