need advice on clowns...

meenamjah · #1 08-27-2010, 02:52 AM

damn.. so it was a bad idea to add a 3rd clown, eh?

I added a nem a couple days ago in hopes of some or any change, but nothing so far...

I guess it's looking like I should sell him... sigh...

ponokareefer · #2 08-27-2010, 04:07 AM

If your existing pair of clownfish were a breeding pair, they will likely try to kill the new one. Clownfish in the wild are quite aggressive towards each other, but due to the size of the ocean, if the breeding pair get over aggressive towards another clownfish, that clownfish can get away. In a 54 gallon tank, they don't have anywhere to go. Long term, it is typically very difficult to keep more than a pair of clownfish together. There are a few cases, but very few that last for years. I'd get your new baby a new home and stop the stress that is going on in your tank, as every fish in there will be stressed out from the fighting and will be more prone to getting sick(disease).

meenamjah · #3 08-27-2010, 04:37 AM

well, they're not a breeding pair... but it does look like they've paired up. they're together 24/7. they harass the baby clown several times a day, but don't actually touch him. they just charge at him and chase him. still, poor guy's cowering in the corner most of the time. I was hoping the pair's aggression would subside, but I guess that's not likely to happen.

gobytron · #4 08-27-2010, 02:15 PM

basically, it's up the the dominant female when it comes to clowns...

If she rejects the smaller male, thats it, party over.

If you were goingto try to keep it, a major rescape might be your best bet.

reefwars · #5 08-28-2010, 12:29 AM

he hides in the corner because of territory im in the same boat ,sort of, its been a few weeks but mines still alive.my female killed her mate after a couple years together and im trying to bring in another male now mine is quite older and bigger but the male is allowed to travel a little further every week or so and from what ive learned shell either kill him or take him.three is a bad number for clowns 9 times out of ten two pair up and pick on the little one iuntill its dead. re aquascape and remember out of sight out of mind if hes gotr hiding places it will be easier for him to take the harrassment

meenamjah · #6 08-28-2010, 03:09 AM

my clowns go to the same cave in the same rock every time I rescape... perhaps I should bury the hole or something...

are they just as aggressive even if they're hosting in a nem?

would having 4 be better or worse than having 3?

reefwars · #7 08-28-2010, 03:25 AM

Adding a nem could make it worse or could give the small clown somewhere to hide if it's big enough, hard to say. Adding more clowns may divert attention away from the little one but clowns are bottom line bullies if they have a target their on it and being small isn't a good advantage. If you have a hospital tank remove the dominant female and male completely re aquascape leaving the new clowns and add the others once they've claimed their territory. Personally I would stick with two their quite nice as a pair

there's alot of fish in the sea

KeMo · #8 08-27-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponokareefer

If your existing pair of clownfish were a breeding pair, they will likely try to kill the new one. Clownfish in the wild are quite aggressive towards each other, but due to the size of the ocean, if the breeding pair get over aggressive towards another clownfish, that clownfish can get away. In a 54 gallon tank, they don't have anywhere to go. Long term, it is typically very difficult to keep more than a pair of clownfish together. There are a few cases, but very few that last for years. I'd get your new baby a new home and stop the stress that is going on in your tank, as every fish in there will be stressed out from the fighting and will be more prone to getting sick(disease).

+1