Clownfish pushing a new coral.

[bluedemon]

I recently had to replace an acro, and got me a stylophora frag and put it on the same spot where the acro was, also removed a damsel I had because it was always fighting with my clown fish (pair) which host on a Torch coral.

This setup has been running for 3 years now and it is a 20gallon tank. Fish I have is a 1 tailspot blenny, the two clown fish and a fire shrimp, and some snails and blue leg hermit crabs.

Now my clownfish are very territorial even towards me, every time I clean the tank or get my hand in they always attack me which I really like ;-) but this time after I put the new coral the female clown is just pushing the coral away, which is kind of close to the torch but not on a way that can create a chemical warfare.

For the first hours it was pushing it until it stop for a couple of days, but today I had to put my hand in to move some zoas, and she went directly again and attack the stylophora, like if she knows I put it and on vengeance of me putting my hand in it is attacking again the coral, is this normal?

 

[BlueFyre]

Yup. My female clown never liked when I put anything on her side of the tank.

 

[SwampyBill]

Yea, that's quite normal; esp. in a smaller tank like your 20 gallon. What type of clowns are they? Good that you removed the (devil) damsel...problems would've escalated in your tank w/ those 3 aggressive fish. The tailspot blennie should be ok, though. Good luck!

 

[bluedemon]

They are ocellaris, black female & standard the male, the Damsel was there for a whole year but they always were fighting but nothing serious, I just had to remove it to stop the tension, and the Tailspot blenny he is always hanging next to the clowns on top of a rock without any issues.

Well I am not going to give this fight in favor of them, I want my stlyophora where it is Haha, well I hope, I guess will have to stop putting my hands in until they get more used to it.

 

[SwampyBill]

You were smart to remove the damsel. They can be one of the most aggressive fish out there, esp. in a small tank. The clowns will probly continue to attack & move anything you put in their 'territory', including you whenever you stick your hands in tank. My b/w pair would even attack the mag float when I cleaned the glass, & the hose when I'd syphon the sandbed during water changes. They were my favorite fish even though they were relentless & could draw blood... btw, what color is your stylophora?

 

[bluedemon]

stylophora, is pinkish purple, I think it is the cat's paw.

 

[bluedemon]

here is a pic of the tank.

 

[SwampyBill]

NIIICE!! That's a beautiful coral. Good luck w/ it & your clowns...If clowns continue to knock it around, you might need to re-arrange it anyway; though kinda limited in 20 gal...

 

[bluedemon]

Thanks, thanks for advice, I know a 20g it is limited but I so happy with this setup, worst things as you said would need to re-arrange the tank.

I learned everything of a marine tank with this setup, already had the battle of the hair algae, as you can see there is still some but now it always stays that size, and it has been diminishing.

 

[SwampyBill]

That's a decent size to start & get your hands salty with. Learning good husbandry in a small tank & keeping water parameters in check will serve you well down the line when you upgrade--& you probly will...I haven't met too many that stay w/ that size tank...sooner or later you'll get the itch to go bigger (& larger systems are easier to keep in check). Do you have a CUC? I only saw 2 snails to clean...You might add a turbo snail to the mix too..Cute clownfish pair, btw.

 

[bluedemon]

I might be another one that will stay with that size, it is not my only aquarium, I have a 55 and a 20gal connected togeter (sharing the same water ) as planted aquarium , another 20gal beta tank, and a small 4g freshwater shrimp planted tank.

My 20g reef tank is the one I like most but I already have enough work maintaining all my other tanks including this one

 

[D-Nak]

It sounds like normal clownfish behavior. Unfortunately, once the female decides it doesn't like something it typically doesn't give up. I guess they don't have much else to do. ;-) I would let the clowns with the battle and move the offending coral. Otherwise they'll just beat it up and you'll have a dead coral.