Help urgently needed. Firefish being a bully.

[Karliah]

I have a 29 gallon. My plans is/was a firefish, six line wrasse, and a pair of clowns (ocellaris).
When I posted about my ideas on here and other forums, several people suggested/told me to put the firefish in before the clowns, since it could become shy or never come out of hiding. I got the firefish and the wrasse together, and they were best buds. After adding the clowns (it's been almost 24 hours as I write this) the wrasse doesn't seem to care, other than hiding just a tiny bit more. I'm not sure if the firefish cares anymore about the wrasse, or if he's just so agitated he's not hanging out with his buddy.
He used to hover in the back section of the tank, right around here:

When I added the clowns they immediately gravitated to this fake anemone:

But now the firefish just stays hovering over it all the time and lunges toward the clowns if they come near him.

As of now the clowns are showing no aggression towards anyone, just scared of the firefish.
The problem I have with it is this...
The clowns were shipped out wednesday night for what was to be overnight shipping, to be picked up Thursday morning. A storm delayed shipment and I received them Friday morning. The breeder told me he doesn't feed them for at least a day before they ship so they can't fowl the water as much. They have yet to eat anything, as they've just been zipping around the tank, stressed, because of the firefish and inevitably a new environment. This means the last time they ate was Monday or Tuesday.
Do you think it could possibly help if I put the firefish in a breeder in the tank or in my sump for a bit, so the clowns can claim their spot and get a chance to settle in? Would he just go back to his mean old ways as soon as I let him back in? I know every fish has a different personality and it's impossible to predict what they'll do. I just feel so bad for these guys, and am trying to find a solution.
Whole tank shot for reference:

 

[heathlindner25]

I definitely don't think it would hurt to put the fire fish in timeout

 

[Karliah]

About how long should I keep him in there?

P.s.
I say "him" but it could easily be a female, I have no idea.

 

[heathlindner25]

I've had better success with firefish in pairs personally,but I would leave him in time out for a few weeks just make sure he can't get near any pumps and they are jumpers.

 

[heathlindner25]

hang on I just reread your post..lol what do you mean put him in a breeder?
He would need to go into a safe sump or quarantine system...if that's not possible and you're asking what I would do... I would add another firefish

 

[Karliah]

Like a mesh or plastic breeder. But I can put him in the sump.
If I can catch him. I just tried for a while until he went and hid in some rock. If he stays there for a few hours maybe they'll feel more comfortable by the time he comes out.
I was planning in getting a pair early early on, but someone told me that unless I can confirm they were a mated pair before purchasing, that if I get two of the same sex they'd constantly fight. So I just did one.

 

[theman772]

Move stuff around in the tank put the nem all the way in the right corner of the tank use the big rock to block the view
What are you feeding

 

[Duke4life]

Off topic but saw your shrimp likes to photobomb to lol

 

[texdoc77]

So that I am clear on the timeline, the two new clownfish were introduced Friday morning and now it is Saturday afternoon? Correct? If that is the case I would give it just a bit more time without changing anything. Of course the firefish will be a bit territorial and of course the clowns are a bit stressed. If anything I would move the rocks around like theman772 suggested.

I introduced a firefish early on in my tank and he/she has been a little territorial with other clowns and some chromis I have introduced. However it did not last long and no harm was done long term.

I really think the clowns might be fine for a little longer, but I will defer that particular portion of the question to someone else...

Of course in a perfect world QTing the clowns would have been ideal as you could have observed them and made sure they were eating well. Then introducing them to the tank on full bellies might have eliminated some of this overall stress. However, I can see your point of not doing this as you have a smaller tank and no coral or anemones (I believe they are all fake correct?)

By the way your clowns are REALLY nice looking, I hope they all begin to get along soon.

 

[Karliah]

Not interested in rearranging the tank, but thank you for the suggestion, I definitely see how that could work.
I was told they were fed sinking pellets, frozen mysis and frozen brine. I have NLS pellets (bot what the breeder had) and the one looks interested and bumps into it but never actually puts it in its mouth. The other acts like it doesn't even see them. I also have frozen mysis and brine. (San fransico bay sally saltwater multi pack. That has "marine cuisine" which has mysis in it, brine shrimp, "emerald entree," and squid) They didn't eat the brine last night or this morning. This evening I did a emerald entree and marine cuisine mix and they both ate a few (I don't think enough) pieces of something, not sure what exactly they were choosing. But that's better than nothing.

--

And yes he/she loves to be the center of attention, always on the same side of the tank that I am, as it's viewable from 3 (kind of 4) sides.

 

[texdoc77]

It's hard for a clown to turn down mysis, I'd focus on feeding that...

 

[lmforbis]

you might just try turning the light off for a ay or so.

 

[archmod]

I would give it a couple more days. Clowns are tough fish and I am surprised a fire fish is getting the best of them. I would be willing to bet that in a couple days, once the clowns get settled in the tables will turn and they will stand their ground.

 

[archmod]

Moving stuff around is also a good idea. It does not need to be permanent...just long enough to break up the firefish territory. Maybe a week or so

 

[Deinonych]

I have to say this is the first time I've heard of a firefish being a bully.

Seriously, though...let the fish sort things out themselves. As long as the clowns are not being intimidated to the point of being reclusive, there's nothing to be concerned about. Plus, the clowns will eventually get bigger than the firefish and show it who is boss. None of my fish mess with my clowns unless they want chunks taken out of their fins.

 

[hogfanreefer]

I have to say this is the first time I've heard of a firefish being a bully.

Seriously, though...let the fish sort things out themselves. As long as the clowns are not being intimidated to the point of being reclusive, there's nothing to be concerned about. Plus, the clowns will eventually get bigger than the firefish and show it who is boss. None of my fish mess with my clowns unless they want chunks taken out of their fins.

This^^^^

My firefish was the first fish in the tank and he is still dead last in the pecking order. I can't imagine he'll do the clowns any harm.

 

[Karliah]

It's hard for a clown to turn down mysis, I'd focus on feeding that...

Noted, thanks!

you might just try turning the light off for a ay or so.

I'll give it a shot if this doesn't resolve itself in a few days.

I would give it a couple more days. Clowns are tough fish and I am surprised a fire fish is getting the best of them. I would be willing to bet that in a couple days, once the clowns get settled in the tables will turn and they will stand their ground.

Hopefully. Right now one clown is about 3/4 the size of the fire fish and the other is about 1/2 the size. That probably (and hopefully) has something to do with it. Or like you said just time to get settled in.

Moving stuff around is also a good idea. It does not need to be permanent...just long enough to break up the firefish territory. Maybe a week or so

Again, this is a great suggestion, I just really don't want to.

I have to say this is the first time I've heard of a firefish being a bully.

Seriously, though...let the fish sort things out themselves. As long as the clowns are not being intimidated to the point of being reclusive, there's nothing to be concerned about. Plus, the clowns will eventually get bigger than the firefish and show it who is boss. None of my fish mess with my clowns unless they want chunks taken out of their fins.

I know! Everyone and their mother was telling me to be careful with the six line because "they can get aggressive" and my little guy doesn't care about anything, just swims around looking for food and hides. Everyone also told me the fire fish would be shy so he should go in first.
Just my luck I guess...
And I think that's what I'll do. Right now they are young, small, and new. Not exactly the greatest combo.

This^^^^



My firefish was the first fish in the tank and he is still dead last in the pecking order. I can't imagine he'll do the clowns any harm.

Wanna trade fire fish? Lol

 

[Bent]

I've had lots of experience with fire fish.

What I can tell you is I believe your fire fish is getting a bad rap here.

The culprit is the clowns.

Many articles describe clowns as being territorial when in pairs, attacking anything that wonders into their area.

I think the fire fish is defending himself, especially given that the trio seem so close to each other.

My suggestion is to seperate the clowns and see if the scuffle stops. I'm positive it will.

IME most dart fish are docile but will defend themselves vigorously when attacked or threatened. Also, keeping more than one dart is a gamble, most darts have what I call "highlander syndrome." What happens is that for one reason or another, a group of darts will be cool with one another for any given time, that time could be years. Suddenly one day, one will wake up and feel "the Quickening", he will name himself McLeod, and off everyone else. Sometimes a pair will bond, but it's the exception, not the rule.

 

[Karliah]

Help urgently needed. Firefish being a bully.

I've had lots of experience with fire fish.

What I can tell you is I believe your fire fish is getting a bad rap here.

The culprit is the clowns.

Many articles describe clowns as being territorial when in pairs, attacking anything that wonders into their area.

I think the fire fish is defending himself, especially given that the trio seem so close to each other.

My suggestion is to seperate the clowns and see if the scuffle stops. I'm positive it will.

IME most dart fish are docile but will defend themselves vigorously when attacked or threatened. Also, keeping more than one dart is a gamble, most darts have what I call "highlander syndrome." What happens is that for one reason or another, a group of darts will be cool with one another for any given time, that time could be years. Suddenly one day, one will wake up and feel "the Quickening", he will name himself McLeod, and off everyone else. Sometimes a pair will bond, but it's the exception, not the rule.

No doubt the "scuffle" will stop if I remove the clowns. It stopped when the fire fish hid for a few hours. But the problem is that there really isn't a scuffle. It seems like it's definitely a one sided attack on the fire fishes part. And he's not really even attacking, just lunging and defending "his" space, except he's claimed the whole tank and doesn't want the clowns anywhere.

I can see from that video how it might look like the one clown charged him, but it didn't. I had JUST put them in the tank and they were exploring. The clowns intended path was near the fire fish and the fire fish lunged at him. They're now terrified of him and try to stay away, but the fire fish moves around and always keeps them in his sight.

I definitely agree that I've seen lots of documentation of them being territorial in pairs, and undoubtedly this will happen when they're adults. But as of now, they're not even really a pair. Yes there are two of them and they hang out together, but neither has assumed a gender yet and they haven't picked a territory to defend, as they're constantly zooming around the glass, keeping an eye on the fire fish as to not get too close.
I will try to get a better/longer video if it's still occurring. I just got out of bed and haven't made it downstairs to check on them yet.


Definitely agree on the multi-fire fish thing, and the way you presented it is hilarious xD

 

[Bent]

By seperate the clowns I meant just removing one of them to see if it stops. Separating them from each other, not from the dart.