I have a clown fish problem

[graveyardworm]

I've had a pair of Clarkiis for about a year now, I bought them as juveniles, one has grown larger than the other, and everything has been fine in my 90 gal mixed reef, Theyve been hosting in a leather coral. I set up a 30 gal breeder for the clowns and an anemone. The anemone ( an LTA ) has been in there about a month and is doing well so I figured it was time to add the clowns. Late last night after lights out I caught both of them with a flashlight and transferred them with no problems. Today I come home from work and the female has been beating the crap out of the male. Should i give it more time or get him out? I'd hate to lose him.

 

[ClownReef®]

I would leave him in there, thats just me though.

 

[JHardman]

Normal and expected, only remove the male if he is really bad off.

 

[graveyardworm]

How bad is really bad off? I can see bite marks on him, his fins are a little ragged, and it looks like she got a good bite over one of his eyes fortunately the eye isnt damaged. She's been working him over pretty good. I've kinda been watching since I got home, and so far I havent seen any aggression, but he's been keeping his distance.

 

[JHardman]

Faded coloration, infections, heavy damage/bleeding

 

[stykthyn]

sounds normal to me I would give him a little more time. does he have anything to hide in?

 

[graveyardworm]

He's been hiding around a small pile of rubble, she is an anemone hog, and always has been. He wants so desperately to get her affection. At least when the lights go out she lets him in the anemone hopefully for a little dancing in the tentacles, or does that happen during the day?

 

[dantodd]

if she's letting him sleep in the anemone everything is probably fine.

My clarkii spawn at 5PM every 10 days. I believe it is most common for them to spawn a couple hours before lights out. Eggs should hatch shortly after lights out between 8 and 10 days after spawning.

Pick up a copy of Wilkerson's book "Clownfish" it's the best intro to clownfish breeding there is.

There is nothing wrong with letting them breed in the 90 either FWIW.

 

[graveyardworm]

Well things seem to be getting better, all of the bite marks I could see on him have healed, his fins are still rough but I suspect that to will heal. She still chases him around but perhaps not as aggressively now that he knows his place. He has decided to host in some GSP, and I may move one of the leathers he liked to host in into this tank as well to make him more comfortable.

 

[ClownReef®]

Maybe later in time she will let him in the house. My onyx female lets the male sleep under the anemone, she will wiggle inside of it all night and the male will stay right under the tentacles..and he never comes out until lights on the next morning, its pretty funny. When she feels pitty for the guy, she lets him in the anemone..but its not all the time.