What to do about an agressive Percula Clownfish???

[oceanluvr]

So, I originally bought one clownfish to start out, had it for about 2 weeks and then bought a new one about a week ago. This whole week it is acting territorial about food and whenever my firefish goby tries to swim around it chases it away so it just ends up hiding. It doesnt look like its been able to get much of the food either since that one clownfish tries to eat everything. The original clownfish I had bought is still doing great and its very peaceful. It doesnt act anything like the newer one.
Those are the only fish I have too (just those three). Is there anything I can do about the aggressive clownfish? Should I just get rid of it? And are clownfish normally aggressive like that???

 

[FlyinggFish]

Try adding another clownfish. It will balance out the aggresiveness so the one clownfish won't gang up on the other clownfish. Its usually recommended that you buy the fish at the same time either as a pair or three.

 

[oceanluvr]

Oh, well, I don't really want another one. I'd rather just have two or just one.

 

[rendogg]

Three can be disastrous, it may help in the beginning but, there will always be an odd fish out. They should settle it out unless they are both female, chances are your original clown has determined it's sex as female. If the new one has done the same they will never get along. If you bought the new one from a tank full of them chances are it will become male, if it was the only one or the largest of a group it's most likely a female.

 

[oceanluvr]

I bought both from the same lfs and they carry them all the time and get them from the same place. They're all tank raised and the 2 I bought were both really small.
They are getting along great with each other, its just than the one clownfish is being mean to my firefish goby. The firefish is the one I'm worried about, not the clowns.

 

[rendogg]

Sorry, I misunderstood. Unfortunately, the behavior will worsen and the firefish will be too scared to come out, especially when they start pairing off for spawning.

 

[FlyinggFish]

So the clownfish are getting along?
I forgot to mention about the sexes thing with clownfish too. I don't know what to tell you if you're worried about the firefish. Try feeding directly to where to firefish is so it can eat. Other than that, if you are up for it, bring the clown back.

Perculas aren't known to be mean like that. Maybe get a new one?

Good luck.

 

[oceanluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14764548#post14764548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FlyinggFish
So the clownfish are getting along?
I forgot to mention about the sexes thing with clownfish too. I don't know what to tell you if you're worried about the firefish. Try feeding directly to where to firefish is so it can eat. Other than that, if you are up for it, bring the clown back.

Perculas aren't known to be mean like that. Maybe get a new one?

Good luck.

Ya, I've tried isolating the mean clown while they eat so that the firefish can eat, it does fine but I just hate how anytime the firefish tries to swim, that clown chases it. It's even nipped at it. It's crazy. Maybe its just a psycho fish or something lol
I think I'm just gonna try to sell it to someone cause the store wont take it back. I'll just stick to one clown, especially since the other one I have is really nice and peaceful.

 

[gutter]

I have a black perc that'll kill anything finned I put in his/her/its tank. It's only in a 10 now but was basically the same way in a 20L. When it's cleaning time it attacks my hand sometimes. It doesn't hurt but it always scares me, and water flies everywhere.

 

[snorvich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14764304#post14764304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FlyinggFish
Try adding another clownfish. It will balance out the aggresiveness so the one clownfish won't gang up on the other clownfish. Its usually recommended that you buy the fish at the same time either as a pair or three.

Sorry, I disagree. First of all, if you add another clown of a different species, one will be killed. If you add one of the same species and it is sexually mature, one will be killed more than likely. If you have a pair in a small tank, that is pretty much all you will have as they become highly aggressive. The firefish will be intimidated and eventually perish as long as the clown is there.

 

[oceanluvr]

Thanks. I ended up just trading in the clownfish for store credit and got a Flame angelfish instead. Everyone is getting along GREAT now!!! And the firefish goby is now back to itself and coming out more and exploring

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14849679#post14849679 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
Sorry, I disagree. First of all, if you add another clown of a different species, one will be killed. If you add one of the same species and it is sexually mature, one will be killed more than likely. If you have a pair in a small tank, that is pretty much all you will have as they become highly aggressive. The firefish will be intimidated and eventually perish as long as the clown is there.

 

[robot2222]

cool , glad to hear it.

 

[sikpupy]

I heard they tatse pretty good with coctail sauce. :thumbsup:

 

[jayk198030]

thats what i would have done. bad fish of mine go in my dwarf lion fish tank. if they mess with him hes judge, jury, and exacutioner. no more bad fish!

 

[oceanluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14852015#post14852015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sikpupy
I heard they tatse pretty good with coctail sauce. :thumbsup:

ha ha ha lol My husband says the shrimp are getting pretty plump too he wants to eat them j/k