Once Aggressive, Always Aggressive?

Jen D · 07/30/2007, 10:45 AM

I have an ocellaris clown that I had in a 29g with a firefish and a jawfish. Everything was fine for awhile and then she started tearing up the fins of the other two fish. It got to the point where the jawfish wouldn't come out of his burrow to eat. So, I removed the clownfish to a separate ten gallon with my yellow-tail damsel. She bullies the damsel a little but I haven't seen any torn fins or anything.

So, to the point, I will be upgrading to a 55 soon and want to combine my two current tanks into one. I was wondering if the extra space might be enough to allow the clownfish to establish her own territory and leave the rest of the fish alone.

b.branscombe · 07/30/2007, 11:02 AM

Who was added first to the 29g, the clown or the other fish?

Jen D · 07/30/2007, 11:41 AM

The clown, then the firefish, then the jaw...

I know... I kind of did it backwards.

Jen D · 07/30/2007, 09:21 PM

bump

b.branscombe · 07/30/2007, 09:26 PM

I'm surprised that an occelaris clown is this aggressive, they are usually quite passive. I would still try adding her to the 55g, but make sure she is the last fish to be introduced to the tank (with the possible exception of a male occelaris). This will give the other fish time to establish territories, and she will be the 'new kid on the block'. If this doesn't curb her aggression, you may have to trade her in for something more passive.

Sk8r · 07/30/2007, 09:30 PM

Fish are mostly aggressive situationally---ie, they're responding to overcrowding or the sight of prey/food, not to higher intellect or memory---every day is a new world if you're a duck; or a fish. A larger tank may make a difference, or not. Clowns are not sweet fish, they are somewhat aggressive, maroons are more aggro than most sharks, and clarkiis will bite you. Percs are the most laid back, with skunks, but trying to limit any clown to less than 50g can get dicey.

07/30/2007, 10:45 AM	#1
Jen D Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central IA Posts: 165	Once Aggressive, Always Aggressive? I have an ocellaris clown that I had in a 29g with a firefish and a jawfish. Everything was fine for awhile and then she started tearing up the fins of the other two fish. It got to the point where the jawfish wouldn't come out of his burrow to eat. So, I removed the clownfish to a separate ten gallon with my yellow-tail damsel. She bullies the damsel a little but I haven't seen any torn fins or anything. So, to the point, I will be upgrading to a 55 soon and want to combine my two current tanks into one. I was wondering if the extra space might be enough to allow the clownfish to establish her own territory and leave the rest of the fish alone.

07/30/2007, 09:30 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Fish are mostly aggressive situationally---ie, they're responding to overcrowding or the sight of prey/food, not to higher intellect or memory---every day is a new world if you're a duck; or a fish. A larger tank may make a difference, or not. Clowns are not sweet fish, they are somewhat aggressive, maroons are more aggro than most sharks, and clarkiis will bite you. Percs are the most laid back, with skunks, but trying to limit any clown to less than 50g can get dicey. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/30/2007, 11:02 AM	#2
b.branscombe Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 407	Who was added first to the 29g, the clown or the other fish?

07/30/2007, 11:41 AM	#3
Jen D Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central IA Posts: 165	The clown, then the firefish, then the jaw... I know... I kind of did it backwards.

07/30/2007, 09:21 PM	#4
Jen D Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central IA Posts: 165	bump

07/30/2007, 09:26 PM	#5
b.branscombe Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 407	I'm surprised that an occelaris clown is this aggressive, they are usually quite passive. I would still try adding her to the 55g, but make sure she is the last fish to be introduced to the tank (with the possible exception of a male occelaris). This will give the other fish time to establish territories, and she will be the 'new kid on the block'. If this doesn't curb her aggression, you may have to trade her in for something more passive.