Clown Fish Bullied By The Other Clown

[robincushing]

hi all its me once again, i dont seem to be having much luck at the moment.
I have a new problem.
Still have algae growing which i though was fixed by the old post, but now I notic my female clown is bullying the male.

They have been in the tank ogether since i started marine fish in feb.
they have been happy together untill now.
I came down at 2am this morning and saw the male on his side in the corner of the tank. he looked on his last legs.
but after alot of watching i discovered the bigger female one was charging at him like a torpedo and kind of head butting him.
he has no marks on him and has bright colour.
what could be the cause and what can i do about it?
thanks all.

 

[seffieuk]

Do you have a container large enough to move her to (with heat and a powerhead) bit like a naughty step!! Leave her in there for a couple of days and in the mean time change the rocks around a bit - can you also check the water stats for us please

Seffie x

ps you can use any food safe container, make sure it has a lid also stick a bit of lr in with her

 

[robincushing]

Do you have a container large enough to move her to (with heat and a powerhead) bit like a naughty step!! Leave her in there for a couple of days and in the mean time change the rocks around a bit - can you also check the water stats for us please

Seffie x

ps you can use any food safe container, make sure it has a lid also stick a bit of lr in with her

i have a little black tub i can put her in for a few days yes.
i did do tests last night, cos originally i thought he was dying.

the nitrate was about 0.3 which i put down to the new live rock that went in last tuesday.
im working on that one

have just moved her to an isolation tub (sterile), took some cathing too and he even came out in her defence but has gone hiding again.
ill give it a few days as you said then if he is still alive ill move the rocks, again.

 

[robincushing]

thanks for your help seffieuk, but our efforts have been in vain, the poor little thing died last night.
no signs of any desiese, in my opinion his behaviour was like someone who has had a heart attack or stroke. can fish have that?

 

[ben1987]

stress can push them over the edge.

one thing that may help you next time. Make sure that the clowns have a deffinate size difference, this helps them settle quicker as the bigger one will turn into teh female. Buying two the same size means they will fight. If you buy two big ones, they are likely to be females and never pair up.

 

[robincushing]

stress can push them over the edge.

one thing that may help you next time. Make sure that the clowns have a deffinate size difference, this helps them settle quicker as the bigger one will turn into teh female. Buying two the same size means they will fight. If you buy two big ones, they are likely to be females and never pair up.

both clowns were purchased at the same time in febuary and have lived happily together since then. the big one (female) was a lot bigger than the male that died so i guess sexes had already been chosen a long time ago.

 

[seffieuk]

Oh that is sad Robin, but at least if the male had anything wrong you know that the female is ok = go buy a tiny juvie

Seffie x

 

[robincushing]

Oh that is sad Robin, but at least if the male had anything wrong you know that the female is ok = go buy a tiny juvie

Seffie x

do you think its safe to?
all other fish and clean up crew appear fine.
the nitrate does not appear to be going over 0.3
but cant seem to reduce it

 

[ben1987]

nitrAte is fine at that level, dont expect to get it any lower. nitrIte is the one that has to be zero.

I would say buy a small juvie aswel

 

[robincushing]

nitrAte is fine at that level, dont expect to get it any lower. nitrIte is the one that has to be zero.

I would say buy a small juvie aswel

funny you say that, it has always been just a slight trace up untill last week