HELP Clown attack

[Reefdiver77]

The larger of my clowns in my 37 gal has started literally attacking and biting my hand when I place it in the tank. The little one stays in the frogspawn. Even though I know it is coming, I still jump and accidentally fragged some SPS last night. Nick has witnessed these attacks and LHAO. The bites do not break the skin, but leave little marks. I suspect there is some spawning going on, although I have not noted any spawning behavior or eggs. Is there anyway to prevent these attacks, other than not putting my hands in the tank, which I am unable to do? I wore gloves last night, but they were a mess and filled with water, although they did lessen the impact of the bites. I considered moving this fish to the 12 nano downstairs with the Pixie Hawkfish and moving the clown in that tank into the 37. Would this work? I keep telling this clown it is not nice to bite the hand that feeds you, but it does not seem to help. TIA.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

That sounds natural for a clown that has established it's territory.I have a single false perc in my 12 gallon nano that does the same thing.Just be glad that it aint a larger species of clown. I have read were they have brought blood to the owners hand while doing tank maintaince.Where ever you put it sooner or later it will do it again.You can't help liking their personality.

 

[sperry]

What kind of clown is it? My Occ slap my hand with their tail and try to bite but they aren't big enough to actually get a grip. Doris Clarkii is big enough to get your attention though. It is a pain (literally) for you but a good sign, it means they are established and defending their home. You might try putting you hand in there more often but not really doing anything. That way they get used to it and don't see it as a threat.

 

[southernstang00]

well I have one of those evil clowns in my 55gal...I was clean the rock that over hangs the anemone and she nailed me hard and it drew blood.

<a href=showthread.php?
s=&postid=11483315#post11483315 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SNAKEMANVET
That sounds natural for a clown that has established it's territory.I have a single false perc in my 12 gallon nano that does the same thing.Just be glad that it aint a larger species of clown. I have read were they have brought blood to the owners hand while doing tank maintaince.Where ever you put it sooner or later it will do it again.You can't help liking their personality.

 

[nam2212]

I had a breeding pair of Clarkiis at one point and they were very territorial. Anytime I put my hand in the tank, the 5" female would bite. It drew blood a few times. She would actually literally jump a few inches out of the water when I was attempting to clean the tank. I ended up selling them to a breeder and getting a pair of Occs.