Picassos fighting :(

[Chino]

Well, it's not really a fight when one is just getting beat up and chased around 24/7.

I've had these two added plus a RBTA 3 months ago. They were in the previous owner's tank (BC29) for over 9 months and now in my tank (NC12). After 2 or so weeks they began to really duke it out for 24 hours straight one day and after that they were happy until now. Both are the same size and I couldnt really tell which one was the female. One has a flatter face then the other. Well it seems that the flat faced one was the dominate at first because the other would submit to it from time to time by doing it's twitching act. Then after a few more weeks it went the other way around.

Currently, for about 2 weeks now the flat faced one has been chase around and nipped at VERY aggressively leaving it hiding in corners/corals all day and away from the nem. 2 days ago I noticed that all its fins are torn pretty good and its color is starting to fade. It still swims around normal when it gets the chance and eats but only to be bullied again and again.

Should I leave him in there and let them just settle it or should I remove him? All I have is another 20gallon tank that has been only setup for 2 weeks and should be cycling. Tank params are all at 0 but very small trace of ammonia (under .25). LR was fully cured when added. I apologize for such detail. I figured this would help you guys understand the situation in full. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[woodnaquanut]

Any chance the beat up one could be moved to 'protective custody'? A breeder net, a box made of egg crate, etc.

I'd be more inclined to move the aggressor out to the sump or other tank. Do a big water change in the other tank to dilute the ammonia. My reasoning is the 20g does not have perfect water conditions so put the strongest in there.

 

[ken6217]

I'm not an expert but I would think that once you introduce the fish back together they will start up again trying to figure out who is going to be whose b*tch.

Having two clowns of the same size is a problem.
Ken

 

[greech]

Sounds a little more brutal than other situations I have seen but at that age and them being the same size, it sounds like they are just going through the male/female motions. If you separate them, they both stand a better chance of becoming female and then they really will fight (women ). If separation is required, the breeder net would be the best option IMO so that they stay in the same tank.

The addition of the BTA may have been the lighter fluid. Most females will enter the nem firts and then when they are ready, will allow the male to come in when they are ready.

 

[Chino]

Unfortunately an hour after the lights went out I found the beat up one dead in the corner with the other clown still picking at it. He's completely psycho. I guess I waited too long. Thanks for all of your advices. Im complete bummed, did not think it was even possible for picassos to be this agressive.

Ken, I was thinking the same thing about putting them back together later and having the same result.

Greech, the nem and two picassos were in another tank for 9 months and I purchased all three and added them all at once to avoid any territorial acts. All of that went the opposite way 3 months later.

Also, I plan on adding another but is this a bad idea? If I do should I at one that's bigger? Not sure if that's even possible because the current one is a pretty good size.

 

[greech]

Sorry to hear and sorry I misread your original post.

Of course each fish will behave differently and go against the "norm" but if you were to add a smaller perc or ocellaris, you should not have any trouble other than some initial bickering. When the smaller is added, you should see it do a series of shakes which is reportedly a sign of submission to the larger fish, which either already is, or will become the female. There may be some time that goes by before you current clown allows the new addition into the nem.

I would definitely not try adding a larger clown at this point.

 

[jt_milstead]

The fish might have been sick. They will try to take out the sick from the school.I've seen it before.

 

[Chino]

Sorry to hear and sorry I misread your original post.

Of course each fish will behave differently and go against the "norm" but if you were to add a smaller perc or ocellaris, you should not have any trouble other than some initial bickering. When the smaller is added, you should see it do a series of shakes which is reportedly a sign of submission to the larger fish, which either already is, or will become the female. There may be some time that goes by before you current clown allows the new addition into the nem.

I would definitely not try adding a larger clown at this point.

Thanks for the helpful info. Will a perc or ocell pair up with a picasso? Im very nervous about adding another picasso. They're so pricey and usually come in pairs.

The fish might have been sick. They will try to take out the sick from the school.I've seen it before.

Very interest and possible that the fish couldve been sick but this guy was fine and looking healthy a week before all the madness. he even ate hours before he croaked. It was so unexpected.