Rod's Onyx fighting - Should I be worried?

[AliKat]

I have two small Rod's onyx. They have actually been in two different tanks (long story), but are now in my 55. They have only been in the same tank for going on 24 hours, but they are in my LTA fighting. Should I be worried?

They are still very young, but could they be two females? Or are they just settling things? I sure would hate to lose one or both of them.

 

[cro55f1r3]

if they are both still small you shouldnt be worried about having two females but since they were in two seperate tanks they will fight a little but if one is about to kill the other which probably wont happen you should split them up but keep them in the same tank so they can see eachother.

 

[GSMguy]

Describe the fighting

any torn fins?

is there any size difference in the fish?

 

[Jovreefer]

I would leave them together until the fins look raged, a few torn spots in fins are ok IMO

 

[AliKat]

Funny. Woke up this morning and they are in two different anemones. I have an LTA on one side and an RBTA on the other (which until now no one has shown any interest in). Last night the two were fighting in the LTA, but apparently one won because the other is in the RBTA now.

 

[j2me5ku]

it sounds like the clowns are trying to assert between the two, the more dominant clown. IME, it ususally ends in about a week or two.

if they're looking beat up, follow cross's instructions until they get along.

-james

 

[tpdpercula]

I have had the same incident when I fish got into saltwater. Just a suggestion but I would take one of the anemones out and allow them to set up dominace between one another. I would hate to see each one having their own side of the tank with an anemone and never pair up. Keep us posted and as always lets see some pictures of the tank and occupants.

-Ian

 

[AliKat]

Oh man, didn't think of that. Maybe I should put the skunks in the main tank, so they would have to share an anemone. I doubt I could get one of the others out of the tank.

 

[AliKat]

Guess I could try to get to the rock that the BTA is on and move it to the 14 for a little while. How long should it take the two onyx to pair up?

 

[tpdpercula]

I've had some clowns that hit it off from the start and others that took a few months or longer. Patience is all you can have but give it time and since they are younger, your chances are greater to a successful pairing. Keep us posted and lets see some pics when you have a chance.

-Ian

 

[AliKat]

But you still think I should take out one of the nems?

I'll get some pics as soon as the camera is charged up.

 

[tpdpercula]

As long as there are two anemones and a clown in each one, I think your chances of pairing are slim or at least will take a very long time. That is just from my experience and would love to hear from others on their experiences/suggestions. Only you can decide.

-Ian

 

[AliKat]

By the way, have some pics. They are not very good because I had to take them with my cell phone. Also had to turn on the lights in the tanks, so the inhabitants are probably a little groggy. And not to happy with Mommy!

Here are the two onyx. First of all, the winner in the fight for the LTA:

And the loser in the RBTA:

And yes, I know it's bleached. It's still recovering from when it split, but is getting better everyday.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

What have your skunks been doing through all this? I have a theory- You mentioned that the skunks paired up fine initially and the onyx paired up initially, and at one point they were all sleeping in the same anemone. Clowns in even numbers can be troublesome, and it's possible...or I'm guessing it might be possible I should say...that the dominant clown 'bonded' with the skunks and viewed the other as an outcast...so even with the skunks gone the 'winner' decided to shun the other onyx as an oddball.

This make sense?