Sabae clown killing all tankmates!

[sinful]

I've had her for close to 4 years as well as 2 of the other fish that she has recently killed. In the past week she has killed her percula bud that has been with her for years, as well as 2 blue hippo tangs and now a dying firefish that I just witnessed her bite and grab ahold of and sling around.

Anyone know why she is starting to do this? Any possible cures? Only 1 other fish in the tank now, a royal gamma. Hopefully he can hold his own as the clown has turned into a serial killer!

 

[coachtjm]

I fear for the gramma if she is killing hippo tangs,......scarry

 

[sinful]

the hippo's were the same size as her. not more than 1.5"

 

[TripleT]

How large is it? Has it grown much in size since you got it? Might just be its true colors coming out.

How large is the tank?

Anything change in the tank recently? Something to make it more crowded?

 

[TripleT]

Also check your water quality, and any other possible sources of stress.

And start putting out feelers for people with tanks that might provide a better home. Sounds like he needs to go to a tank with larger fish.

 

[sinful]

now that you mention it, the only thing that changed is my feeding. I had a bit of red algae outbreak and cut feeding down to once every three days. Maybe that ticked em off. She's really not that big, from tail to mouth at most 1.5". The strangest thing is I've had the same tankmates for the past 2 years and never had any problems. No new additions. Might just have to have a single fish tank, she was first fish I bought 4 years ago..lol

someone told me to try to find her a mate, what you think about that?

 

[NoBigDeal]

Maybe doing an extra water change to help rid your tank of the red algae and up the feedings a bit more could help. When fish are hungry their aggressive behavior is brought out. Keeping her well fed should calm her down. How big is your tank by the way?

 

[TripleT]

now that you mention it, the only thing that changed is my feeding. I had a bit of red algae outbreak and cut feeding down to once every three days. Maybe that ticked em off. She's really not that big, from tail to mouth at most 1.5". The strangest thing is I've had the same tankmates for the past 2 years and never had any problems. No new additions. Might just have to have a single fish tank, she was first fish I bought 4 years ago..lol

someone told me to try to find her a mate, what you think about that?

Trying to get your fish some action is the wrong approach here. Chances are a new clown will be met with immediate aggression.

Instead of once every three days, a more appropriate feeding schedule would be three times a day! Feeding like you are will also lead to health problems.

The red algae could be cyanobacteria. Increased flow (powerheads), a bigger protein skimmer, and a couple of astrea snails would probably help.

 

[TripleT]

 

[saltysticks]

she may be a Clarkii which is more aggressive and often mistaken for a sebae and vice versa. My Clarkii female has thrashed her mate a few times and usually after i change the rock work and things like that. I might consider getting a different species.