Worried about my newest addition

[ConnorG]

So to start off I have had my 24 gallon up for about 4 months now and had 3 fish. A Picasso clown, purple fire fish, and tailspot blenny. Unfortunately last Monday I woke up to my dried up dead tailspot blenny on the floor in front of the tank I was very sad due to the fact he was my favorite fish and I have gotten very attached to him over the past 3-4 months. So on Saturday I went to get a new one and while at my LFS I noticed the cutest little baby Clown fish (have been searching for a small one forever to pair up with my Picasso) it was a tiny percula about 3/4 - 1 inch long. He was perfect. I brought them both home and added the clown to the tank. Needless to say the Picasso wasn't to fond at all for the first few hours, then the Picasso started to warm up to him and would let him swim next to him. The next morning I noticed that he was still aggressive towards the poor guy and I inspected him closer. He was missing a small little nip of his tail. his color is also pretty dull compared to mu larger clown. He is very young so I figured they will grow darker and more vibrant over the next few months. Is this true? Also is this normal aggression and will it subside? Will they EVER pair up? The aggression has gone down a little bit but the new one seems to be a little scared of wherever the bigger one is....he is always at the front of the tank in direct flown and barely ever moves to the corners for a break. He will occasionally go higher for a break but I feel bad for him because he seems so scared because of the bigger one to even move anywhere else. Will he be ok? Is this normal? Will it get better? Thanks in advanced!

 

[ConnorG]

Bump?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

It's normal for an established clown to be aggressive toward a new clown. If the aggression escalates you'll have to remove the little one because there's a chance that the established clown may kill it. If things seem to be calming down, just keep an eye on them. The smaller one may start doing the shimmy dance around the established clown to show submission.

 

[Maaka]

As for the color of the fish. If it is as young as you think it is then it should color up nicely in a few weeks.

Mine did at least.

 

[Ninong]

He is very young so I figured they will grow darker and more vibrant over the next few months. Is this true?

Yes. His faded coloration is due to stress.

Also is this normal aggression and will it subside?

Yes and yes.

Will they EVER pair up?

Yes.

Will he be ok? Is this normal? Will it get better?

Yes, yes and yes.

 

[ConnorG]

Thanks for all your help! I have noticed the aggression has gone down a bit...and it seems like they are swimming by eatchother more. The big one seems like he wants the little one to swim with him but the little one is very cautiouse! Thanks again!

 

[ConnorG]

Back for a little update....I am even more worried now.. it's gotten worse, a lot worse

At first I thought they were getting along but apparently not because this afternoon I came home and the small one was pinned on the sand with the bigger clown nipping at him and going after him from the top and the firefish was going after him from the side he seems to have gotten slot more aggressive and his colors are very dull and has bite marks on his tail while missing chinks of it and has very little if any dorsal fin..... he is always so scared and is always at the bottom with no where to go without getting bitten he also looks like he has bite marks on his nose and side. Plz help is this supposed to be happening? I am really nervous about it

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Why not put the little one in your quarantine tank as it sounds like he won't make it without separation from the others? Keep him there until you have the 90 set up even if it is a couple of months, and then put the small one in the 90 for a week or so and introduce the rest of your fish after the small one establishes his territory.