Clownfish Help!

[Rich1022]

Hello MR, I recently purchased a pair of juvenile black ice clownfish, they were in my 20g reef tank for about 24hrs until i noticed the bigger one (possibly the female) was gone. I checked the floor and there she was . I never knew clownfish would jump that high out of a tank. So the next day i decided to purchase another small juvenile black ice about the same size and put him in the tank hoping that they would pair. The original clown has been constantly attacking the new one. I figured that since the female was gone two males wouldn't fight and the more dominant one would become the female. Should i let them be or try and move them out of the tank?

 

[KathyC]

Sorry for your loss.
Please be sure to get a screen cover on the tank asap. Many fish will try and jump, especially when they are being bullied by another fish. They don't know there isn't water outside of the tank...


In replacing the fish you lost, you should have gotten one smaller in size to minimize the fighting. A 20G doesn't leave much room for any 1 fish to
have a 'territory' of their own.
If they are still fighting, you might try rearranging the rocks to throw off the territorial nature of the original fish.


But most of all..get a cover on there please. There are stickies on the DIY forum on how to build a simple cover.

 

[Rich1022]

Just the original clown in the tank is attacking the new one, someone recommended putting a small mirror on the side of the tank

 

[brand]

It's normal just watch if is an attack to death or they just fighting for seniority to be female.

Once you see big bites split up till they heal...then try again. with only two they should work it out...and plenty of food till they make friends. Strong flow also till resolved that way they fighting flow and not themselves...


Good luck

 

[Reef lover24]

I would let them be for a few days and see what happens.. The mirror trick does work as well. I have a tank with 4 pairs of clowns, and two golden nuggets and there was minimal fighting at first and now everything is fine and they get along perfect. Just I kept feeding them, kept some flow and they don't bother eachother now. GL