How long to leave a fish in time out?

Ben34105 · 07/13/2012, 08:17 PM

I have a nano reef with 2 juvi clowns and a small clean up crew. The clowns aren't getting along so I put one in the fuge of my large tank. How long should I leave the aggressor in time out? Can I break his Napoleon complex or should I trade him in for a more submissive clown, say one who read 50 Shade of Grey?

Dapg8gt · 07/13/2012, 08:22 PM

In my experience it wont work.. It will always be aggressive. I have tried it w/ a few fish over the years especially freshwater and it always ends the same way. It gets traded in LOL. What are the size difference between the two. If they are the same size it will prob most likely keep going on. If they are the same size try to trade it in for one smaller or larger than the one you have. That way te larger one will take on the female role and the smaller the male. They are the same species right?

jrsydevi1 · 07/13/2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dapg8gt

In my experience it wont work.. It will always be aggressive. I have tried it w/ a few fish over the years especially freshwater and it always ends the same way. It gets traded in LOL. What are the size difference between the two. If they are the same size it will prob most likely keep going on. If they are the same size try to trade it in for one smaller or larger than the one you have. That way te larger one will take on the female role and the smaller the male. They are the same species right?

+1

From what I've read, its a good idea to have a noticeable size difference so that dominance is quickly established.. also.. some species are significantly more agressive than others, and mixing species isnt advisable in a small tank.

I'm no expert.. but thats what I've gleaned after a bit of research..

Yomidr19 · 07/13/2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dapg8gt

in my experience it wont work.. It will always be aggressive. I have tried it w/ a few fish over the years especially freshwater and it always ends the same way. It gets traded in lol. What are the size difference between the two. If they are the same size it will prob most likely keep going on. If they are the same size try to trade it in for one smaller or larger than the one you have. That way te larger one will take on the female role and the smaller the male. They are the same species right?

+1

reefer999 · 07/13/2012, 10:40 PM

If there is a noticeable size difference it should be faster to decide who is taking what role, but if they're about the same size then the fighting will continue for a very long time. So +1 on dapg8gt and trade it for a bigger or smaller one depending on the one you have.

Ben34105 · 07/13/2012, 10:44 PM

Thanks for the info. They are almost exactly the same size so I think a trip to the LFS is in my future.

Michigan Mike · 07/13/2012, 10:51 PM

I just made the same mistake today, I think...
Two tank bred percs, the larger one went carpet surfing last week.
Got a black&white perc the same size today, but he's feisty.
They kinda go at it, the b&w darts at the other one, but the orange clown shakes like a male African cichlid almost...kinda weird. Gotta keep an eye on em and see.
Always have a 29g I can put one in if it gets out of hand.

Michigan Mike · 07/13/2012, 11:27 PM

Oops. Double posted
Here's a pic of em...[IMG]

[/IMG]

CoralReeferGal · 07/13/2012, 11:34 PM

You shouldn't mix types of clowns; if you want a pair, get 2 percs, or 2 ocellaris, or 2 maroons, or 2 clarkii, etc. Not positive as to why (assuming aggressiveness), but I've heard it over and over and over. (I had originally bought a ocellaris, and then fell in love with maroons... but couldn't mix the 2. Also had thought about a clarkii, but again, was told it would be a mistake, so I didn't. Got my maroon now that the condy nem ate the ocellaris, and the condy is now out of the tank LOL! From what I have learned, clowns can be territorial, and (supposedly) should be one of the last fish you add to the tank. (not sure if thats just directed at maroons or all clowns in general)

Michigan Mike · 07/14/2012, 06:38 AM

Ya I think it goes for any territorial species.

sponger0 · 07/14/2012, 06:38 AM

I disagree on certain breeds of clowns and mixing. I have a true perc and black occelaris. When I got them they were about the same size but very young. They never had a problem pairing up. Never faught....always stayed together.

You never said how big your tank is.

But I agree ince they become aggressive, they will always be.

Dapg8gt · 07/14/2012, 12:48 PM

Yeah I don't fully agree on mixing clowns. If the tank is big enough I think it's fine. A friend of mine has misbars,Picasso Clark's ,and gold bar maroons all togeteher in a 135 w/ several different species of anemones. Granted the maroon goes where she wants and takes whatever anemone she feels like at that moment it's not a problem at all. The other clowns just pretty much move out of her way. IDK about it in a small tank w/ one/none nem though. JMO.

07/13/2012, 08:17 PM	#1
Ben34105 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 159	How long to leave a fish in time out? I have a nano reef with 2 juvi clowns and a small clean up crew. The clowns aren't getting along so I put one in the fuge of my large tank. How long should I leave the aggressor in time out? Can I break his Napoleon complex or should I trade him in for a more submissive clown, say one who read 50 Shade of Grey?

07/13/2012, 08:22 PM	#2
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	In my experience it wont work.. It will always be aggressive. I have tried it w/ a few fish over the years especially freshwater and it always ends the same way. It gets traded in LOL. What are the size difference between the two. If they are the same size it will prob most likely keep going on. If they are the same size try to trade it in for one smaller or larger than the one you have. That way te larger one will take on the female role and the smaller the male. They are the same species right? __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

07/13/2012, 11:27 PM	#8
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Oops. Double posted Here's a pic of em...[IMG][/IMG]

07/13/2012, 11:34 PM	#9
CoralReeferGal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Amish Country, PA Posts: 775	You shouldn't mix types of clowns; if you want a pair, get 2 percs, or 2 ocellaris, or 2 maroons, or 2 clarkii, etc. Not positive as to why (assuming aggressiveness), but I've heard it over and over and over. (I had originally bought a ocellaris, and then fell in love with maroons... but couldn't mix the 2. Also had thought about a clarkii, but again, was told it would be a mistake, so I didn't. Got my maroon now that the condy nem ate the ocellaris, and the condy is now out of the tank LOL! From what I have learned, clowns can be territorial, and (supposedly) should be one of the last fish you add to the tank. (not sure if thats just directed at maroons or all clowns in general) __________________ Sarah 120 gal established 15+ years, Home to a pair of clowns, Professor Khaos (the diamond goby), Oscar (green mandarin dragonette), and Larry the (purple reef) Lobster.

07/13/2012, 10:40 PM	#5
reefer999 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,348	If there is a noticeable size difference it should be faster to decide who is taking what role, but if they're about the same size then the fighting will continue for a very long time. So +1 on dapg8gt and trade it for a bigger or smaller one depending on the one you have.

07/13/2012, 10:44 PM	#6
Ben34105 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 159	Thanks for the info. They are almost exactly the same size so I think a trip to the LFS is in my future.

07/13/2012, 10:51 PM	#7
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	I just made the same mistake today, I think... Two tank bred percs, the larger one went carpet surfing last week. Got a black&white perc the same size today, but he's feisty. They kinda go at it, the b&w darts at the other one, but the orange clown shakes like a male African cichlid almost...kinda weird. Gotta keep an eye on em and see. Always have a 29g I can put one in if it gets out of hand.

07/14/2012, 06:38 AM	#10
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Ya I think it goes for any territorial species.

07/14/2012, 06:38 AM	#11
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	I disagree on certain breeds of clowns and mixing. I have a true perc and black occelaris. When I got them they were about the same size but very young. They never had a problem pairing up. Never faught....always stayed together. You never said how big your tank is. But I agree ince they become aggressive, they will always be.

07/14/2012, 12:48 PM	#12
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	Yeah I don't fully agree on mixing clowns. If the tank is big enough I think it's fine. A friend of mine has misbars,Picasso Clark's ,and gold bar maroons all togeteher in a 135 w/ several different species of anemones. Granted the maroon goes where she wants and takes whatever anemone she feels like at that moment it's not a problem at all. The other clowns just pretty much move out of her way. IDK about it in a small tank w/ one/none nem though. JMO.