Hosting PROBLEM -- or not? Aggression Q, too.

[fsn77]

We finally broke down and bought a pair of tank raised black clowns (lfs had them labeled as black percs, but reading posts here the last few months has taught me otherwise). They're doing great -- were friendly towards one another at the lfs and continue to be in our tank. But, we have a PROBLEM, maybe?

We have a bubble coral that is about the size of a tennis ball when open / inflated that almost always has its sweeper tentacles out. Apparently, the clowns think they want to host in it. They are nipping the tentacles and hovering over it like they want to just dive in, but are a little hesitant. I'm a bit concerned -- will our bubble coral try to eat them? It has a sizeable mouth and I have no doubt one of them would fit in there.

We also have a six line wrasse that is about the same size as the clowns (about 1.5") that has been acting aggressively towards them when they are near the bubble. It's not violent combat, just some sideways swimming by the wrasse and a quick lunge at them if they get too close to the bubble coral. Is the wrasse actually trying to protect them, or telling them that's her part of the tank and they need to pick another area?

 

[55semireef]

Sounds like your wrasse is territorial of that certain spot. I have noticed that when my Purple tang doesn't like the way my Blue Tang is swimming it will chase him/her. Even if my Blue tang starts picking up sand like its grazing off something my purple will "lunge" at him/her. Funny thing is they always swim together.

Maybe your wrasse doesn't like the way the clowns are acting in his/her territory.

As for the Bubble coral, it might sting the clownfish driving them off but it won't eat it. Clowns aren't going to "dive" in something thats going to hurt them. What kind of lighting do you have?

 

[fsn77]

I'm sure hoping they know better. As much as I like to see our bubble coral grow, I'm not looking to give it a clownfish dinner. What we really want is for them to take to our toadstool leather, as seen in my avatar.

Having kept very territorial African cichlids for many years, it's actually kind of funny (in a fascinating sort of way) to watch saltwater fish be somewhat territorial. The wrasse seems to keep a close eye on the clowns no matter where they are, so hopefully she doesn't get too aggressive towards them.

We only have 4x65w PC lighting with a supplemental 2x40w NO fluorescent for the time being. I'm working (very slowly for budgeting reasons) on building 2x54w T5 HO into our canopy along with gutting our PC fixture and mounting that up there, too. I bought a year+ supply of PC bulbs on sale, so I'm kind of committed to sticking with them until I use up the bulbs. Once the PC bulbs are gone, I'll switch out the PC guts for another 2x54w T5s, possibly 3 or 4 depending on our lighting needs at that time (total of 4 - 6 T5 HO, although 5 is probably as high as I'd go).

 

[55semireef]

Having kept very territorial African cichlids for many years, it's actually kind of funny (in a fascinating sort of way) to watch saltwater fish be somewhat territorial. The wrasse seems to keep a close eye on the clowns no matter where they are, so hopefully she doesn't get too aggressive towards them.

You havn't seen the Undulated Trigger in action yet have you?