Will the harassment between my maroon clownfishes stop?

Aquavaj · 07/06/2018, 08:17 AM

I picked one up the other day from a LFS. It's about 2.5". They had another one that was about 2" and I was considering picking both up to see if I can get them to pair up but decided not to.

Yesterday I picked another one up at a Petco. Small little fellow at about 1". I heard for easier pairing one should be a lot smaller than the other so it will submit without much fighting. That's exactly what happened. The moment the larger one started harassing him he submitted with the jerking movements.

However even though he submits each time he gets harassed she doesn't seem to be stopping. Not straight up chasing him but butting him and nipping his fins. That got him hiding in a small crevice in the rocks for awhile.

I checked this morning before leaving for work and they're both close to one another and looks like she has let off. That could just be that it's dark with only moonlighting on. I hate to come home and he's all tore up or stressed out.

jackquillin2002 · 07/06/2018, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquavaj

I picked one up the other day from a LFS. It's about 2.5". They had another one that was about 2" and I was considering picking both up to see if I can get them to pair up but decided not to.

Yesterday I picked another one up at a Petco. Small little fellow at about 1". I heard for easier pairing one should be a lot smaller than the other so it will submit without much fighting. That's exactly what happened. The moment the larger one started harassing him he submitted with the jerking movements.

However even though he submits each time he gets harassed she doesn't seem to be stopping. Not straight up chasing him but butting him and nipping his fins. That got him hiding in a small crevice in the rocks for awhile.

I checked this morning before leaving for work and they're both close to one another and looks like she has let off. That could just be that it's dark with only moonlighting on. I hate to come home and he's all tore up or stressed out.

No it will never, remove one of them before the weaker one dies

55gallon reef tank

LeaveItToReefer · 07/06/2018, 05:54 PM

Sometimes it helps to reorganize your rockscape so they don't become as territorial. It helps "reset" the territories in the tank.

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davocean · 07/06/2018, 09:06 PM

Actually your first idea of 2" would have most likely been female, at 1" is almost certainly still male, and doable, and sleeping together would be ok sign, though personally I prefer a acclimation box for a day or even days just gto get female used to it w/out being too terrible.
It could work out still

Jazeel55 · 07/06/2018, 09:48 PM

It will stop when one is dead

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jackquillin2002 · 07/06/2018, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeaveItToReefer

Sometimes it helps to reorganize your rockscape so they don't become as territorial. It helps "reset" the territories in the tank.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I tried that

55gallon reef tank

jorda9095 · 07/06/2018, 10:36 PM

I've recently had success with a larger female and small male so it is doable. They tolerate each other and sleep together. Depending on the little guy's shape you may want to separate them when you aren't able to watch. I've also had the common experience in the past as well where the little one dies

Jazeel55 · 07/06/2018, 11:23 PM

Your tank is also to small. I went through 4 Clarki before I could pair mines up. Clown fish are the devils of the aquarium trade. Vicious little creature

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Aquavaj · 07/09/2018, 10:03 AM

The bigger one has let off for now but not until nipping the top and one of the bottom fins. Nowhere near as bad as in the pic though. They still both hang out in lower back corner and don't really go anywhere. I get that they generally just stay in one area but why can't it be in the front so I can atleast see them.

BonsaiNut · 07/20/2018, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazeel55

It will stop when one is dead

Exactly.

07/06/2018, 08:17 AM	#1
Aquavaj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 132	Will the harassment between my maroon clownfishes stop? I picked one up the other day from a LFS. It's about 2.5". They had another one that was about 2" and I was considering picking both up to see if I can get them to pair up but decided not to. Yesterday I picked another one up at a Petco. Small little fellow at about 1". I heard for easier pairing one should be a lot smaller than the other so it will submit without much fighting. That's exactly what happened. The moment the larger one started harassing him he submitted with the jerking movements. However even though he submits each time he gets harassed she doesn't seem to be stopping. Not straight up chasing him but butting him and nipping his fins. That got him hiding in a small crevice in the rocks for awhile. I checked this morning before leaving for work and they're both close to one another and looks like she has let off. That could just be that it's dark with only moonlighting on. I hate to come home and he's all tore up or stressed out.

07/06/2018, 09:06 PM	#4
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Actually your first idea of 2" would have most likely been female, at 1" is almost certainly still male, and doable, and sleeping together would be ok sign, though personally I prefer a acclimation box for a day or even days just gto get female used to it w/out being too terrible. It could work out still __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

07/06/2018, 05:54 PM	#3
LeaveItToReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 48	Sometimes it helps to reorganize your rockscape so they don't become as territorial. It helps "reset" the territories in the tank. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07/06/2018, 09:48 PM	#5
Jazeel55 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 68	It will stop when one is dead Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07/06/2018, 10:36 PM	#7
jorda9095 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 325	I've recently had success with a larger female and small male so it is doable. They tolerate each other and sleep together. Depending on the little guy's shape you may want to separate them when you aren't able to watch. I've also had the common experience in the past as well where the little one dies

07/06/2018, 11:23 PM	#8
Jazeel55 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 68	Your tank is also to small. I went through 4 Clarki before I could pair mines up. Clown fish are the devils of the aquarium trade. Vicious little creature Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07/09/2018, 10:03 AM	#9
Aquavaj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 132	The bigger one has let off for now but not until nipping the top and one of the bottom fins. Nowhere near as bad as in the pic though. They still both hang out in lower back corner and don't really go anywhere. I get that they generally just stay in one area but why can't it be in the front so I can atleast see them.