HELP - smaller clown not looking good

[Mavrk]

I got a pair of True Percs (WC) last night from the LFS. They have been in a tank together, but not sure for how long (LFS got them from someone breaking down their tank).

Anyway, the larger one was really picking on the smaller one. Especially on the drive home since the LFS put them in the same bag (I was so excited I didn't even think to ask to put them in separate bags). Now this morning, the small one is "sitting" on the sand behind the rocks looking really beat up and I fear he will not survive.

Am I right to be worried? I am at work now and left a message with the LFS to call me.

This is the first livestock in my tank, but my parameters are good (nitrates are too high for coral, but not fish) and the large one is out swimming around and eating fine (looking really healthy).

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
pH 8.3
Nitrate 20 (between 15 and 20, but API tests don't get that exact, so I call it the higher number)
Temp 81-82

Is it too hot for them? Are my nitrates a problem? Or is it just the stress from the larger one? I think it is the last one, especially since at one time the small fish's entire pectoral fin was in the larger one's mouth.

What are the chances of recovery? I feel like a worried father sitting here at work (well, actually I am a father, but you know what I mean).

 

[aznlmpulse]

True percs aren't considered the more aggressive of the clown family....I would think that the bigger one is just establishing dominance, especially if the little one is giving in and doing the spazz dance during the whole ordeal. If he's really beaten up, I'd isolate him in a clear specimen container with holes for circulation, a pvc pipe to hide in, some stress coat or something similar, then put him back in after he's healed. There's no sense in waiting for the bigger one to kill him.

your water seems good. 20 on your trates is o.k for the fish. Might want to try to bring it down for the long run though. Just my opinion. How big/small are they? considerable size difference?

 

[Mavrk]

I am planning to have the nitrates at 0 in the long run. The larger one is about 1.5-2" and the smaller about 1-1.5" (have not fully measured them. Here are some visuals to help (I took these as soon as they went into my tank):

Looking a little beat up

Other side

Not the clearest shot, but good for size comparison

The larger one looking really healthy

Your help is appreciated.

By the way, my lights were off this morning when I left for work, do you think he was sleeping (I know... hopeful thinking)?

 

[aznlmpulse]

He does look a little beaten up, but he'll live. The fighting can actually go on for weeks, so keep an eye on him... You can always isolate the bigger one instead if you see the little one getting worse, and you'd rather do that instead.

Really nice looking clowns btw! Hope they pair up soon.

I've had a pair of tomatoes for a few weeks, and I've only seen them fight once. They're more similar in size, but the smaller one gets the boot from the anemone and ends up laying on the sand or sleeping right next to the nem. I'm sure if the lights are off, they're probably sleeping.

Usually when they're both intoduced to a new tank at the same time, it takes a couple of days for them to get their bearings back and to establish territories/dominance.

 

[Mavrk]

So he didn't make it

The larger one is doing fine and eating well. My parameters have not changed at all.

The LFS is going to call me back when the manager is in to work out something. Apparently they do not guarantee saltwater fish, but will work with their customers (as they put it). I am pretty sure they will do a full exchange for a new little true perc when they get one in. Especially since they were the ones that put them in the same bag.

 

[MimicTang]

nice looks like you got Onyx percs or really close to it. Try putting something in the tank or the male can get into. small pipe strawberry basket or what not. On a stressful trip she'll take her anger out on him.

 

[black_majik]

Beautiful clowns, one question were they together at the LFS ? If not most likely establishing dominance. If they were together try lowering the temp to 78 SLOWLY. The warmer water can " over activate" fish. Let them "chill" out

 

[black_majik]

SORRY. I didn't notice the bad news

 

[pammy]

Hi Mavrk. Sorry that you lost your little Perc. The same exact thing happened to me yesterday. I have been waiting for weeks to add a pair of percs, and just bought them yesterday. They were getting along fine in the tank at the LFS and had been together for two weeks. He bagged them together in one bag, and I didn't think anything about that since they came from the same tank. When I looked at the bag 20 minutes later when I got home, I found the larger one attacking the little one. Looked like she was trying to take a bite out of his tail. I started the acclimation process and had to separate them because the bigger one wouldn't leave the little one alone. The little one was having a hard time staying upright. I put the smaller one in the tank, and he disappeared for a couple hours. Finally found him and he didn't look good at all. I kept him by himself in the sump, and he died about an hour or two later. So sad. At first the LFS told me he wouldn't replace him because he only guarantees fish if they get sick, but he is going to replace him for me. I think they should have been bagged separately. Maybe the stress of being bagged, caused the bigger one to attack the little one? The larger one is doing great, swimming all over the place and eating with great gusto. Hopefully he won't attack a new perc I add to the tank tomorrow.

Bye
Pam

 

[aznlmpulse]

Sorry to hear the bad news. They would've made a good looking pair. You might want to get another one about the same size, or maybe even slightly bigger than the killer clown. He might calm down a little, and you might have a better chance of pairing them up.

 

[spellbound]

Sorry about your loss. Hope your LFS replaces the lost one. Great thread to warn future purchases to be put into separate bags.

 

[pammy]

Hi Mavrk. My LFS replaced the small Percula today that I lost 2 days ago (attacked by the larger perc). The second I floated the bag in the tank, the big percula went up to the bag and was checking him out. I floated the bag for about 15 minutes, then drip acclimated him for 50 minutes. I put the new smaller percula in the tank, and the two paired up IMMEDIATELY!! They just swam to each other right away. They've been together for about 6 hours now, and I haven't seen the larger one attack the smaller one at all. They're both happy and swimming together. Hope you have good luck with your new one pairing up too when you get it. Here are two pics. Bye. Pam