Suddenly Agressive False Percula

[EnglishRebel]

I have a pair of false perculas. Up until now the female has been a model citizen toward newcomers -- both small (Jawfish and Dartfish) as well as large (Anthias). A few days ago I put a Flame Hawkfish in the tank and she immediately took a dislike to it -- chasing it all over the tank but not nipping it. The last few days she has been hanging out in the areas of the tank where the Hawkfish is and if the it stays put she doesn't bother it. However if it swims in open water she chases it.
Is it the color of the fish that has changed her mood? I know that clowns can get aggressive as they get more mature but why this sudden change as she is only about six months old? I'm hoping she will quit otherwise I will have to banish her to the sump and as my granddaughter picked out her and her mate I don't want to have to do that.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

How long have the clowns been a pair? When did the become a pair? Have the recently laid eggs? My clowns got really aggressive right after they paired up.

 

[EnglishRebel]

They've been a pair since I got them 5 months ago. I haven't seen any signs of breeding.

 

[JamesJR]

This is just part of the pairing and breeding process. Not much you can really do about it.

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15673848#post15673848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JamesJR
This is just part of the pairing and breeding process. Not much you can really do about it.

Funny thing is, the female used to be with the male almost all the time until the Flame Hawk went in. Now it seems as if she's off trying to catch him in the open. If the flame Hawk stays still she will go right up to him but that's all -- no chasing.
Will this stage come to an end you think?

 

[E.intheC]

clowns are funny.. I had a pair of Black and White clowns that would leave my purple firefish alone, but would squabble with any and everything else I tried to put in the tank (including my hands)

 

[JamesJR]

I doubt it. This is part of her establishing breeding territory and I think this aggression will increase as she gets larger. Hawkfish are known to prey on very small fish so this doesn't surprise me.

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15679390#post15679390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JamesJR
I doubt it. This is part of her establishing breeding territory and I think this aggression will increase as she gets larger. Hawkfish are known to prey on very small fish so this doesn't surprise me.

So you're saying that the female clown is being aggressive because the Hawkfish are known to prey on small fish? Doesn't make sense. The clowns are twice the size of the Hawkfish. My male Anthia, who is very aggressive toward the female Anthias doesn't bother the Hawkfish at all.

 

[JamesJR]

I wasn't talking about the clownfish.

 

[EnglishRebel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15681384#post15681384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JamesJR
I wasn't talking about the clownfish.

Sorry James but I don't understand what you're telling me. It's the female clown that is being aggressive toward the Hawkfish so what bearing does "This is part of her establishing breeding territory and I think this aggression will increase as she gets larger." have on the question?
Thanks