help w/clown not eating, rejected by host and female

[glaze]

I've had a 2" ocellaris for a few months now and a week ago I introduced a smaller one -- Little Clownie (LC) -- I hope to pair with Big Clownie (BC). But things aren't going well...

As soon as I introduced LC he swam straight for BC. BC tried to chase him off and LC kept trying to swim near BC. LC was very persistent about trying to get close to BC. BC normally stays near the surface in a corner and there are no other fish in the 38 gallon tank, so LC clearly knew what he wanted.

This went on for a few days and eventually LC gave up and tried to go swim into/around my branching hammer coral (the only facsimile to a host in the tank). It looked like the coral may have stung him because he kept approaching and jumping back. (Is that possible? I've never seen any sweepers on the coral) Eventually LC tried to swim around the coral and under it where it looks like he's shading himself in a tree. LC generally swims where we wants, but seems really sad. Doesn't go into the coral, doesn't go into BC's corner, and, most recently, has stopped eating (4 days now). He was eating my usual rotation of flakes, frozen food, and baby brine but now won't take anything and I'm worried.

1. Why is LC striking out with both the big clown and the coral?

2. What can I do to get LC to eat and be happy?

3. Will BC ever leave her corner and be a normal fish? (She ventures out for food, but I worry if I introduce any more fish she'll go back into hiding).

btw, BC is definitely tank raised and I think LC may be, but not sure.

TIA!!!

 

[Anonymous]

LC may get cofined to his tiny coral. BC is not accepting him(yet or ever). As far as LC not going in the coral is not a problem. Clowns,in nature and the aquarium, find a small territory and stay near it. So his close proximity to the coral is normal. The not eating on the other hand is troubling. However, it may just be stress and he may begin eating soon. Try something alive like brine shrimp, IMO they tend to get a picky or non eater to eat.

When I added my A.clarkii my A.frenatus chased him into the corner and I did not see him for a week. After the domination process was over the A. clarkii lives in the left corner of the tank with no anemone and the A. frenatus lives in the center with all three anemones. It was over a week with out eating for that clown and now he is fine. However, I am not suggesting that your fish will be fine. What I am saying is that it is possible.

Good luck

 

[Anonymous]

you may want to try seperating the bc into a plastic 'guppy breeder' trap for awhile.

this wll give the lc a chance to recuperate.wait 'till you see both clowns trying to swim to each other through the wall of the breeder trap before attempting the re-release of the bc.

the size difference between the clowns may not be great enough for a pairing response.

luck

 

[Anonymous]

also-the behavior of the lc w/the coral may have been normal(re: the back and forth)

sometimes clowns need to get 'stung' a few times before they adapt their mucus coat to the nematocysts of the anemone/coral they want as a host.

hth

 

[wombat1]

Ditto on what Vitz said. You may even try putting LC in a guppy breeder. This worked for me when pairing maroon clowns that were too close in size. How big is LC??? If LC was in a tank with no other clowns for a few months, it might? be a female...

 

[glaze]

Thanks for your input. Sadly, I have to report that little clownie got sucked into the skimmer intake while I was at work today.

 

[dvb]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your clownfish. I love clownfish! I think that they are really fun to watch. Do you have the book 'Clownfishes' by Joyce Wilkerson? If you don't, it is really worth reading.

About a month ago I added a smaller Clarks clown in with my other Clarks. Wilkerson describes the first month or two as the 'bickering phase'. They are definitely doing this! The bigger one bites at the smaller one all day long. Eventually they will figure it out. But it may take a while.

Read her book, and after, I am sure that you will be ready for another clown!