Clownfish chasing new Firefish

[EthanHawaii]

Hi, I just purchased a new Firefish from my LFS and right when I put it in my tank the female clownfish was chasing it on and off, and was trying to (gently?) nip it, (though I don't know if it was trying to hurt it) and now the Firefish is at the bottom of the tank.

The Clown will only chase the Firefish if it tries to swim out in the open.

Is this normal behaviour for a newly introduced fish?

Thanks,
Ethan

 

[mike61289]

Pretty normal.

How big is the tank?

 

[EthanHawaii]

And does it's stomach look ok?
I'm probably getting to concerned but just want to make sure.

 

[EthanHawaii]

Pretty normal.

How big is the tank?

It's a 75 Gallon long.

 

[brett_schn]

It's a 75 Gallon long.

Put the clown in a breeder box or in another tank for a few days and let the firefish heal and establish territory


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[LobsterOfJustice]

What other fish are in the tank also?


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[MellowReefer]

Unfortunately, it's best to add all timid fish like firefish before adding clowns, so they can establish territory first. I know that doesn't help you now. I ended up removing my clowns and putting them in their own tank, so I could have peaceful fish. If you don't want to remove the clowns, I would suggest only adding fish rated at least semi-aggressive from this point on.

 

[EthanHawaii]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Today the female Clown has just ignored the Firefish and now the Firefish is out in the open eating, though gets spooked if the wrasse comes to close to it.

It has two entrances into the rock were it darts to if it feels spooked were the other fish can't get to, so I think it feels pretty secure.

I will keep a close eye on them, but I think they are figuring things out.
If they start to chase the Firefish again I will move the rock around to confuse the other fish.

So far it's stayed in the right half of the tank which is more than enough room for it (seeing as they can live in a 10 Gallon system) if the other fish decide they own the left side.

 

[brett_schn]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Today the female Clown has just ignored the Firefish and now the Firefish is out in the open eating, though gets spooked if the wrasse comes to close to it.

It has two entrances into the rock were it darts to if it feels spooked were the other fish can't get to, so I think it feels pretty secure.

I will keep a close eye on them, but I think they are figuring things out.
If they start to chase the Firefish again I will move the rock around to confuse the other fish.

So far it's stayed in the right half of the tank which is more than enough room for it (seeing as they can live in a 10 Gallon system) if the other fish decide they own the left side.

My firefish was the first addition and was really skidish until I got my clown pair


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[EthanHawaii]

My firefish was the first addition and was really skidish until I got my clown pair


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"My firefish was the first addition and was really skidish until I got my clown pair"

I would have thought the clowns would make it more skidish. That's cool though!

 

[MellowReefer]

It really depends on the age of the clowns. Very young clowns are not aggressive, it's only after they've been in the tank a while and especially when they start breeding they can get really mean.

 

[brett_schn]

It really depends on the age of the clowns. Very young clowns are not aggressive, it's only after they've been in the tank a while and especially when they start breeding they can get really mean.

The lfs wouldn't sell them to me for a month because they were so small they are under an inch. Before They all broke out with Brook so one of the clowns died and then the others were treated and survived they all swim together. The remaining clown and firefish swim together still tho