Clownfish chasing Bellus Angelfish

[DP Reef]

I just added a Bellus angelfish to my 50g and now my female occellaris clownish swims around looking for him to chase him around. Would isolating her for a week in the sump and putting her back in the tank help?

I've got a good arrangement for my rockwork/SPS and do not want to mess with it. It could be that they have gotten really happy in their gigantea and won't let me add a new tank inhabitant? I've swapped out many tank mates before without problems.

This Bellus is the last thing I wanted to add until i upgrade to my 120g at the end of the year. He/She is only about 2" so maybe he is too small. Would a bigger angelfish make the clownfish think twice about attacking it?

Any advice that might help them "forget" their home and then reintroduce them to the tank?

 

[Cthehentz]

I usually put new fish in with the lights off and towards the evening if possible. They should all adjust in a few days just keep an eye on them.

 

[sc50964]

Catch either one and put it in an acclimation box. Or if the chase subdues, then just give it some more time.

 

[DP Reef]

Maybe I should wait a few days and see what happens. I've made sure to get the Angel some food each time I feed the tank. At least I know he's eating.

 

[sc50964]

Those two species shouldn't bother each other. Should be okay after one day at the most IME.

 

[DP Reef]

The pair are now both attacking him. Hmmm

 

[sc50964]

If they are still doing that, then you need to isolate one specie. Getting an acclimation box or using some light diffuser panels (egg crate) to isolate them.

 

[Whistl3r]

A breeding pair of occ will "claim" approx 50gallons of space, room sounds like the issue to me. And no fish size will not dissuade her, she will attack anything to defend her space when she is ready to breed.

 

[SwampyBill]

+1^^^

 

[xtlosx]

Agreed. You're packing in way too much for that size of tank, especially including the Bellus.

 

[DP Reef]

I'll see if I can catch the Bellus. Worst case, I will just snatch the clownfish for a new pair. They will be much easier to catch and the Bellus is a nice looking one.

I wonder if over time, a new pair will become hostile again or as the last added fish, they will tolerate others in the tank. They are not hostile to my small yellow tang and small hippo tang.

 

[OrionN]

Dennis,
You do have too may large fish for a 50 gal IMO. Bellus angel , Hippo tang and Yellow tang. I would not keep a Hippo in that tank. Only one of the other two. You may want a Watanabe instead of a Bellus.
I got a flame angel and a yellow tang, a pair of clowns and two yellow tail blue damsel. in my 65. Have to sell the Atlantic Blue, replaced him with a tiny yellow tang because he got too bid for that tank.

 

[Flippers4pups]

My female chases my flame angel all the time. I feel bad for the flame, but there going in my 125 soon and will have plenty of room soon. Its a territory issue.

 

[DP Reef]

Bellus is gone. Upgrade tp 150g in progress.