GSM nipping at Xenias, is this normal?

[kappaknight]

My xenias (elongata) are growing a bit out of control so recently I was a bit surprised that it hasn't spread as much as it usually does. During my last attempt to rid some from the tank, I ripped some heads off and saw the stalks shrunk.

Well, today I saw my gold stripped maroon clownfish nip the heads off of some xenias that are getting a bit too close to his anemone. I think more than attacking them, he's actually chewing what he ate.

It's kind of cool since he'll now help keep them in check, but I was wondering if this is normal behavior for him or if he's just protecting his anemone. He doesn't seem to be nipping at the ones that are further away though he could be and I just haven't witnessed it.

Should I be worried that he'll nip at other stuff as he gets older?

 

[marxsman]

Yes this is normal. Mine are several years old and a mated pair, they protect their anemone constantly. Mine will also pick at my frogspawn too. They get more aggresive with age and will even knock over rocks and other frags that are too close to home

 

[corals b 4 bills]

I've never heard of that, But, I have a 8 year old gold bar maroon clown myself so I have seen many things. Clowns will do whatever it takes to protect it's own.

 

[corals b 4 bills]

I was talking about the xenia.

 

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6611375#post6611375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marxsman
Yes this is normal.

Absolutely. GSMs have a very highly developed sense of decorum...and anything that waves in the vicinity of their anemones are likely to get nipped and/or moved.

Kevin