have a problem... impulse buy

[jsn150]

OK went to the LFS today and there was this beautiful LTA that had come in a week ago. Already have 2 ocellaris clowns in the tank knowing they would not host I picked up 2 Clark's clowns while I was there because they were enjoying the LTA so much. Now the problem (like I didnt know there would be a tug o war) The ocelarris and Clark's clown are going at it constantly and in the mix the larger of the 2 Clark's has now abandoned the smaller guy and is defending the LTA from him as well. The ocellaris have backed off a bit now since the lights just went out but the larger Clark's clown will not let the smaller guy near the LTA. Actually thought in a 150 the 2 breeds could possibly be able to live together and maybe they will but how can I get the large Clark to go easy on the smaller guy and let him in? any help appreciated

 

[nemofish2217]

i would give them a few days to maybe "settle" down, and get used to their new homes.... after a few days, if the fighting doesnt stop, then i would go ahead and take one pair out....

 

[jsn150]

any ideas on how to get the 2 Clark's clowns to pair back up? Its possible they were not paired up from the start (there were 8 or 9 in the same tank sharing a HUGE LTA) they seemed like they were together and all of a sudden he turned on the little guy too and is fiercely defending his home

 

[nemofish2217]

you can try to move them both to the LTA by scaring them with a net....just a thought... are they babies? if so, then there shouldnt be a sex difference between them, and one should eventually turn female, and the other be a male...

 

[jsn150]

I have tried to get the bigger one away from the LTA so theother one can jump in and that works only until I get my hand out of the tank and then he chases the little guy off , anyone else?

 

[sage1970]

I think I remember a post with a similiar problem...when the larger clown finally settled in, it let the littler clown come host with again.

I would just give them a couple of days...like was said above, just be ready in case you need to pull a pair out.

 

[NexDog]

I think you'll always have problems with those 2 types of clowns in your tank. Clarkii's are very agressive and will probably kill the the ocellaris clowns. What you could try is an anenome at either end so the clarkiis have one end and the ocellaris have the other (if they decide to host in it).

As for the current issue with the larger (female) clarkii not letting the other near the anenome - this is completely normal for a new anenome even with paired Clarkii's. The female will take possession of it and over time will let the male near. At first she'll scare him away and then she'll let him hover near. Then he'll be allowed right outside and finally he'll be allowed in. It took about 4 months before my male clarkii was allowed to live in the anenome. It's kind of similar to the whole pairing process with clowns. It's not something that happens overnight but rather the clowns just get used to each other over time. It was very reqarding to get 2 juvie clarkii's, pair them up and then get them living together in their LTA. My favourite fish for sure.

 

[jsn150]

looks like I may have to remove the small clarki, everyone seems to sense he is going downhill and they are all picking on him now, especially my yellow tang, I hate that fish