tank cleaning with clowns

The Grizz · #1 08-21-2011, 05:05 AM

I have 3 false Percs in my 165, a pair of cinnimons & a maroon in my 116, a tomato clown in my 48 frag tank & 2 true Percs in a 30, never had ANY of them even come close to my hand ever. I only clean my tanks by hand with a razor blade. The only fish that ever come to play is my cleaner wrasse. But yes they can be aggressive for what ever reason.

rastaangel · #2 08-21-2011, 06:44 PM

Whenever my hand goes in my tank my black/white female goes ape on me and will relentlessly attack my hand until its gone. If its in there for more then a few seconds the male joins in as well. I attribute this to the fact that they spawn all over my tank and feel as tho they have to protect the whole tank. I have gone threw numerous light bulbs from the reflex action lol so if im in there for a while I threw the net over the female to protect myself... While is funny cuz I used to hand feed the volitans I had yet im afraid of a lil clownfish

Maverick00 · #3 08-22-2011, 12:26 AM

^^ haha no kidding, i was actually thinking about throwing a net on him while cleaning. It doesnt seem to mind if im moving frags around or even cleaning the glass with a razor, its the yellow sponge that ****es him off.

mike31154 · #4 08-22-2011, 02:52 AM

If you can find one of the veggie clips in the shape & colour of a clownfish, get it. Stick it somewhere near your clown's hangout when you're in there with the yellow sponge. A mirror might work as well although your other fish might end up fighting their reflection instead of your clown.

Not sure I could get a net over my Maroons. They host in a BTA and spawn regularly, but they know what a net is and also how to avoid it.

Maverick00 · #5 08-22-2011, 04:17 AM

cool idea mike! ill keep my eye out for one

ReefOcean · #6 08-22-2011, 09:16 PM

i must say, this is the first time I have heard of clowns being aggressive towards people. I have owned many percula, a few maroons a tomato and a giant ass clarkii and no issues. The closest thing I have come to fish contact would be with a huma huma trigerfish, who would just hover around my hand gently bumping into it.

Timbits · #7 08-22-2011, 09:33 PM

all my pairs constantly bite my hand when im siphoning the tank. i have to wear gloves now when cleaning and i dont feel a thing now! sometimes they bite and hang on for a few seconds

ScubaGirl · #8 08-23-2011, 10:50 AM

I get bit consistently by my mated pair false percs. Keeps me on my toes when I'm in the tank. Little buggers can hurt. They are way more aggressive when they have eggs.

Wanderer · #9 08-23-2011, 07:34 PM

i used to have a pair of percs and the female got wise to me ignoring her bites. she learned how to attack my arm and knuckle hairs, grabbing them and tugging. THAT got my attention!!

intarsiabox · #10 08-06-2012, 02:57 AM

I had a pair in a previous tank were the male would attack my hand. He was scared of the net though so I found that if I placed the net in the tank on some rock he would hide and leave me alone until the net was removed. Sometimes I get to be smarter than the fish!