Tragedy strikes...

EddieJ

Premium Member
Yesterday was a sad day.

I have had a pair of clownfish since December. They were the first inhabitants of my 90 gallon display. The 2 always hung out together and got along great. Well 2 weeks ago I introduced a BTA to the tank. The smaller clown started to host right away, but then the larger clown started getting very aggressive towards the smaller clown. I observed the smaller clown acting submissive (shaking etc....) and the larger clown would bolt across to tank to attack the smaller clown. Now I figured this was probably the larger clown (which I assume would be the female) exerting dominance over the male. Now a week after I introduced some SPS corals and decided to remove my egg crate covers I had on the tank. I wanted optimal light for the SPS along with the BTA. This is where I feel terrible, I was watching this behavior and thought to myself that the way the larger clown would ambush the smaller one that it could startle the smaller one and he would jump. BUT I DID NOT put the covers back on or create the screens I wanted to build. So yesterday I come home to one clown in the tank, and the smaller one dried up outside of the tank. That just sucked... and something that I should have attempted to at least prevent. I know eggcrate or screen may not keep them in every time, but it improves the chances greatly.

So a sad lesson learned.


Now a question.... Can I introduce another clown?? or would that just not go good.

There were a pair of False Percula's
 
I am undecided about replacing the clown. The existing clown seems pretty happy hanging out in the BTA...
 
It's up to you. She'll be fine without a new male. If you do decide to replace him, be sure to get a small Juvi.

Don't beat yourself up over it too badly...it was an honest mistake. Any number of us could have done the same. I have forgotten to replace my eggcrate cover after feeding/water changes a few times myself...it happens.
 
u know its funny after i put my anemone in my bigger clown is bulling the smaller one now to..but not that bad....wowza
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12852875#post12852875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jubjubrsx
u know its funny after i put my anemone in my bigger clown is bulling the smaller one now to..but not that bad....wowza

yeah, the big one became extremely aggressive after the BTA was introduced. Funny thing was the small one hosted right away while the bigger one seemed very disinterested.
 
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