Clownfish aggressive towards new juvenile?

[Michelleleighx]

I've had this particular tank set up for about a year. It's a 55 gallon with 10 gallon sump. Inhabitants include 2 oscellaris clownfish (approx 3/4"- (just added 1/24/17) & 2"), a scooter blenny, a chocolate chip star, a 6" chain link moray eel, a 3.5" yellow tang, a 3" bicolor angel. Everything has been in tank no problem for several months except the juvenile oscellaris clownfish, and all water parameters are normal.

I've paired clownfish before, but have never experienced anything like the aggressive behavior my larger clownfish is displaying towards the juvenile. Their size difference is pretty significant, so I assumed the larger would become the female (if it wasn't already), and the juvenile would mature into the submissive male.

I added the juvenile and he instantly swarm towards the other clown, first she just nipped at him and he backed off, but the next time he approached, she bit him by the tail and yanked. He quickly swam to the opposite side of the tank. He stayed in a corner all night (presumably) and this morning when the first of my lights came on the next morning, the juvenile worked up some bravery and ventured her way again- she instantly chased him off.

I searched through dozens of forums and it seems this behavior is rare for two oscellaris clownfish. Following advice I saw on another forum, I isolated the juvenile clownfish in a breeder net near where the female sleeps. Once isolated I noticed a little chunk of his tail fin is missing where he was bit yesterday so I added some melafix to the tank. My plan is to give him a few days in the breeder net until the female is used to his presence, and then try introducing them again.

Anyone have any similar experience or recommendations?

 

[davocean]

It's less common w/ occs but still sometimes a female will just not accept a male, why we usually advise intro in a specimen container, often for a couple/few days before release unless observation shows obvious signs she looks just curious about it.
Keep it isolated floating near her area a few days, see what happens

 

[OurCoralReef]

Your post is just a drop confusing you first put the female and now your introducing a juvenile

 

[Michelleleighx]

To five a little backstory, I used to have 2 clowns (added at the same time about 11 months ago. Last month one of them died (presumed head trauma-- the one that died was the female originally, so the male, in theory, after being left alone likely became a female) and after a few weeks I purchased a new juvenile.

The first introduction attempt the female attacked the juvenile on a few occasions, so I separated and put the little guy in a breeder box near where the larger clown sleeps.

I've kept him isolated for 3 days and the female now will approach the breeder box with the juvenile, showing some interest/curiosity (which I hope to be a good sign). I plan to try reintroduction this weekend.

 

[OurCoralReef]

You can try but keep a eye on it especially at night if the juvenile hangs out at the top or by the overflow it might be scared into jumping