Clownfish Agression after 3 months

[Miami Reefer]

Hello,

Just back into reefing after a 2 year hiatus. Given living in an apartment opted to go from my previous 90 gallon system and try a 30 gallon nano setup.

About 3 months ago I purchased a pair of ORA bonded pair clownfish (Ocellaris). They are juveniles maybe 7 to 9 months old or so... When they first arrived one was slightly larger than the other and and seemed the more dominant as well. The smaller would occasionally do the submission dance and would be chased a bit during feeding so the larger would get more to eat. Other than that though no fighting between the two. Now after 3 months together the slightly smaller of the 2 has become the aggressive one and the larger is scared and hides in a corner or under a rock. If she (or he)comes out slightly the smaller is attacking.

I thought the dominance was established given the 3 months prior and them being sold as a bonded pair. Has anyone else seen this in which the smaller of the two becomes aggressive?


30 Gallon JBJ Nano
Initial Cycle completed 3-1/2 months ago - fishless cycle
20 lbs Live Rock, No corals yet
SG 1.026
Temp 78.5
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites -0
Nitrates - less than 5 PPM
Phosphates - .03 to .05 (running small reactor with GFO, adding ATS soon)

 

[SecretiveFish]

I do not know what I do wrong, but I can't keep a pair of clownfish paired, neither can I pair two separate fish of the acceptable size difference.

Years ago I tried to pair normal ocellaris clownfish. I bought two small ones with the recommended size difference. Things were fine for a few months until the two started to straight out attack one another (locking lips and all).

Many years later, I purchased a pair where they stayed paired at first but lost interest in each other. Fortunately the tank was big enough they each claimed a side. One of those clownfish disappeared last year , and the other has jumped into the overflow for the 4th time. He is still in the overflow as we speak.

With another pair I purchased, the shipment arrived very cold and the male died. I tried to pair that female with my naked clownfish. Things were great for 6 months, then the female started to hunt with intent to kill the male. I had to remove the male to save him.


I have given up with clownfish pairs. For whatever reason, my husbandry is such that I can't keep them paired. I will keep clownfish singly, and enjoy them very much this way.


In your case, I do not see a happy resolution. You will need to remove a clownfish.

 

[Miami Reefer]

Thanks for the reply. I was heading home last night to separate them until I could figure out a long term resolution but I was too late. The stress was too much for the fish. The change in aggression was almost instantaneous, which made me think perhaps parasites as I had seen some white poop. Going to treat the one that's left and add some variety to the tank as far a tank mates once teartmment id done. I had high hopes for this pair as they were purchased as a bonded pair...beautiful gladiator markings too. Oh well, one thing about this hobby is that it definitely challenges one to learn as much as possible. Thank again.