So SAD!! :(

[pammy]

I came home tonight to find my one of my Percula Clown Fish, almost completely in the mouth of my Aussie Duncan. This Duncan is only a little larger then a quarter in diameter. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't tell if he was dead or alive, but thought he was dead. Took a quick pic, in case he was still alive, then pulled the coral out and the coral spit him out. Poor little guy was dead. So....how the heck do you think this happened? I've only had the clown for about 2 weeks.
He was the smaller of the pair. I suppose he could have been curious with this coral as a host, but I haven't seen him go near any corals. The larger female has been loving a smaller hammer, but I haven't seen the small one near any corals.
Or, I suppose the female could have killed the male and the coral just caught himself a big snack. This female did badger the first male I brought home and he died within a couple hours. (LFS bagged the two in the same bag, and when I got them home, I found her attacking him). I haven't seen her do anything more than chase this new clown occassionally. I was so sad for this guy. Any best guesses on what might have happened? I can't imagine this Duncan just caught the clown swimming by. Pam

 

[NbMaxx13]

Really sorry for your loss.... IMO the clown was more than likely weakend and sickly allready ... Most corals that eat fish (in my experience) have caught fish that were on thier way out allready ... lets see what everyone else says....

 

[GSMguy]

it was either dead or dying and might have tried to host the duncan

 

[pammy]

Would I be better off adding another clown for my other Percula Clown, or leaving her as a single clown? I'm assuming she's the female since she was the larger one. I had bought her with another smaller clown that was housed with her in the same tank at the LFS, but the LFS bagged them together, and by the time she got home, I realized she had been picking on him, and he died a couple hours later. So, this is the second male clown (or at least smaller clown) gone in 3 weeks. I didn't see her picking on this last one though. She would chase him a bit, but not attack him. More of a letting him know she's the dominant one. Would I be better off getting another percula smaller than the one I have now, or one about the same size as her?
Thanks. Pam

 

[TOURKID]

:eek1:

sorry for your loss, thats awful!

 

[GSMguy]

at least your duncan is healthy

 

[Ladipyg]

Find someone to take the female and start over with some small percs. Or if you get another one, just put it in a fish breeder attached to the side of the tank, where she can see it and get used to it, without being able to attack it. After a couple of days maybe a week, wait until the lights go out for the evening and re-arrange the tank slightly. Then add the new clown into the tank...when lights come on the next morning, the older clown will think she's in a new place and not be so territorial, giving the new clown a chance to settle in. Good luck and so sorry to hear about your little guy...

 

[55semireef]

Yes, it seems like your Percula was already significantly weakened.

 

[pammy]

Thanks Ladipyg. The one I have left, is pretty small. She was just bigger than the other, but I think still a juvenile. I'd say she's only about 1.5" long at most. I've only had her for about 2.5 weeks or so, so maybe it's soon enough where she won't be too territorial. Good idea about the breeder cup.
Thanks!
Pam

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10654029#post10654029 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ladipyg
Find someone to take the female and start over with some small percs. Or if you get another one, just put it in a fish breeder attached to the side of the tank, where she can see it and get used to it, without being able to attack it. After a couple of days maybe a week, wait until the lights go out for the evening and re-arrange the tank slightly. Then add the new clown into the tank...when lights come on the next morning, the older clown will think she's in a new place and not be so territorial, giving the new clown a chance to settle in. Good luck and so sorry to hear about your little guy...

 

[Ladipyg]

It should work pretty good for you pammy. good luck with your new baby...