My Clowns Are Fighting Really Badly!

[lewiss]

Hi guys,

My two clowns (percula) are going crazy and attacking each othe constantly. They're the only ones in the tank. Basically they're both as bad as each other and swim as fast as they can to get behind the other. Then they both turn to face each other and heatbutt each other for ages. Then they swim off and the same thing happens.

Why are they doing this? Should I take one out??

 

[lewiss]

Also one of them after the fight then looks like it's fitting, almost twitching for a couple of seconds after, normally one of the two in particular but the other one does to.

 

[seffieuk]

How big are they and how old? Are you sure they are fighting? That twitching is normal in clowns that are either mating or moving in and out of their host, in particular their nem

Seffie x

 

[lewiss]

Well I dnt think they're mating cos they're face to face and just ramming each other, pushing each other into the rocks and glass. They dnt have a host. They've only been in the tank for 3 days, they're babies i think, cos they're about 2"s long, and very small.

They haven't really been swimming together, they stay away from each other but now they're chasing each other and even look like they're biting each other.

They were in the same tank when I bought them, they were the only two left though.

 

[seffieuk]

If they are two inches long then they are unlikely to be babies/juvies - you could have two females who are fighting for dominance. How long has this been going on for?

Seffie x

ps if on the other hand you mean 2cm long then the twitching and shoving is probably part of working out of who is going to be the dominant female

 

[-Nemo-]

If the clowns are small (like seffie said) they are just sorting out their roles. I see this "headbutting" behavior very frequent in my smaller clowns. As long as they are not doing any physical damage to each other they are probably fine.

 

[lewiss]

Sorry I do mean cm. They just going constantly even wen I feed them they eat and then go straight back to fighting!!

I'll keep an eye on them, I dnt see any physical damage to either yet. Thanks guys. They've only just started this behaviour today..

 

[seffieuk]

If they are really fighting you would most likely see damage, clowns have teeth and they use them, I know from experience

Seffie x

 

[lewiss]

They do look like their biting each other but no damage yet. I'll keep u posted.

 

[seffieuk]

They do look like their biting each other but no damage yet. I'll keep u posted.

When my clowns have bitten me - and they do often they have on occassion made me bleed

Seffie x

 

[milkton]

just throwing this out but are u sure they are both perculas? maybe the lfs sold a true perc and false perc to u by accident?? got pics?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

True perc and false perc would be ok together (This is what I have, mine are even orange and Black & White).

As above they are working out dominance. How big is your tank?

The twitchy thing they do is normal so don't worry about that.

 

[lewiss]

It's a 40 Gallon so they have plenty of space! One is has now become the mean one, nd chases the other constantly, occassionly they go to head to head but normal the nice one just submits by going on his side.
The nice one is so nice though! When I clean my tank he rubs himself against my arm as he swims passed.
Just feel sorry for him! Or her ?!

 

[-Nemo-]

All sounds normal to me, they'll work it out soon enough.
As per what barney said with mixing clowns, it's definitely possible but risky as they do not always take to each other.

 

[lewiss]

Just wanted to update you all, thanks for the advice my clowns are doing well. They are friends, they swim together now and I'd never know they were having world war 3 just a week ago!!

Thanks for all the advice.

L