My large female has become extremely territorial and will not let my 3 chromis swim openly in my 54 corner. My tank looks pretty empty now. I had a juvenile blue tang in for a while but he was getting too large. Does anyone have a suggestion for a reef-safe fish that will swim around and not be intimidated by the clown? Thanks!
what will stand up to a maroon?
- Thread starter djp183
- Start date
westohooligan
New member
Anything from the pomicentridae family: clowns, chromis, damsels, etc... will be a target for the maroon. Maroons are probably the "meanest" of the clown family. Larger more aggressive fish may be okay, but you're tanks may not be big enough. You can always opt for getting rid of the maroon.
What are all the inhabitants now?
Currently its just the newly-mated pair of maroons (introduced a small male a couple weeks ago) and the 3 chromis. Oh ya, also a green mantis shrimp. I had a six-line wrasse and then a midas blenny but they both "disappeared" :hmm2:. I probably am going to have to get rid of the mantis if I want another fish that won't be intimidated by the clown AND won't get chomped by the shrimp - right?
velvetelvis
Active member
It's probably best to assume that any mantis isn't safe. You might could post him in the sale forum--there are plenty of people on RC who love mantises and would give him a good home.
In a smaller tank like yours, a Meicanthus spp. fangblenny is an option. Two of the most common ones are the "canary" fangblenny (M. oualanensis) and the striped fangblenny (M. grammistes). They're pretty and very peaceful little fish, but also armed with venomous fangs that they use in self-defense. IME, even aggressive fish tend to leave them alone. I used to have a female clarkii who was so aggressive that she killed a rabbitfish, but she never bothered the canary fangblenny who shared the tank, even when he swam right past her toadstool coral.
In a smaller tank like yours, a Meicanthus spp. fangblenny is an option. Two of the most common ones are the "canary" fangblenny (M. oualanensis) and the striped fangblenny (M. grammistes). They're pretty and very peaceful little fish, but also armed with venomous fangs that they use in self-defense. IME, even aggressive fish tend to leave them alone. I used to have a female clarkii who was so aggressive that she killed a rabbitfish, but she never bothered the canary fangblenny who shared the tank, even when he swam right past her toadstool coral.
Velvet - after searching canary fangblenny I am certain that that is what I had (not a midas)! The clown did leave him alone and I loved the way he kept his head completely still while the rest of his body flowed in the current while he was hunting pods - really neat to observe! Guess I have a descision to make; I do think my mantis is cool.
velvetelvis
Active member
I love the way they move, too. "Canary" is a good description--there's something birdlike about them, I think. 
They are great little fish.
If you're attached to your mantis (which I can understand!), why not set up a small tank just for him? I don't think they need a lot of space unless they're one of the bigger species. Post a picture in this forum, and I bet they can tell you all about him.
I'm having my LFS order me a captive-bred white fangblenny (M. smithi) to keep with my nigripes clowns (both species are native to the Maldives and Sri Lanka). I figure he will be able to stand up to my nigripes, which apparently also become very aggressive when sexually mature.
They are great little fish. If you're attached to your mantis (which I can understand!), why not set up a small tank just for him? I don't think they need a lot of space unless they're one of the bigger species. Post a picture in this forum, and I bet they can tell you all about him.
I'm having my LFS order me a captive-bred white fangblenny (M. smithi) to keep with my nigripes clowns (both species are native to the Maldives and Sri Lanka). I figure he will be able to stand up to my nigripes, which apparently also become very aggressive when sexually mature.
SchnitzelReef
Active member
I hate maroons! Meanest lil fish. Get rid of them and your problem is fixed. GL
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