Observation regarding clownfish pair behavior

[Agu]

When I'd feed my oscellaris pair the female was very aggressive to the male (only fish in the tank) to the point half the food would go over the overflow while she attacked him. I've had the pair several years and it was a new behavior.

While observing them I realized the female was looking kinda thin (OK so I'm a bad fish daddy ). Went to 3 or 4 times a day feeding to fatten them both up. A couple of weeks later and there is noticeable filling out for both fish and a substantial reduction of aggression.

fwiw .......

 

[jbax]

my wife is the same way. keep her fed and keep all your digits. although she does not fill out.:spin3:

on side note tell me when you figure out how to calm their aggression towards the hand that feeds them. i feed mine 4x a day spectrum flake, 2-3x a week mysis,rods and cyclop-eeze. and she still circles the top of the tank like a shark waiting for my hand.

keep them fat and happy....the fish that is.

 

[Agu]

My point is that when resources/food was limited , competition for food increased to the detriment of both fish consuming food available. Once food was easily available competition decreased and substantially more food was consumed by both fish.

just my observation ....

 

[mr9iron]

Seems logical to me. Survival of the fittest.

 

[jbax]

i think it's called food aggression or object aggression. which is common knowledge that clownfish have. the problem is more noticeable/severe in dogs and cats. and sadly some will never lose this trait once they have it and will pay for it with their life. the upside to this is clownfish won't get the reputation that pit bulls have cause of neglectful owners.