Clown turned mean...

I added an anemone Saturday, and it hosted my clowns right off the bat, but now the bigger clown won't let the small clown in it, or even by it at that. The bigger clown is even being mean and bullying the small clown also. Any ideas? Anytime the big clown leaves the anemone, the small rushes to the nem and gets in it, only to get it hit so hard by the big clown when it sees it. Also the clowns have been together 6 months now.

 

How long have you had them? What type(s) of clowns are they? How big were they when you got them? Do you know either was ever alone in a tank without other clowns?

 

They are tank raised ocellaris, so I'd say they have never been without other clowns. They were the same size when i got them, maybe an inch and half, the small really hasn't grown at all, but the larger one might be a half inch bigger now. I've had them for almost 6 months.

 

Not the least bit uncommon for the larger female to keep the smaller male away from an anemone. Sometimes you just need a bigger anemone. Sometimes she will allow him to sleep in the anemone.

I believe that clown fish relationships go through stages or changes just like people. Maybe he is not showing enough submission for her. Usually these things work out in time.

 

I see, i hope she doesn't kill him or anything, he's been doing the little seizure thing all night so I think he's submitting. It's sad, he wants in it so bad that he's literally laying on a rock with the tip of his face in the nem now...I tried to take a pic but the lights are off. I'm new to nems but I would think it's big enough for both of them...

 

Sounds normal then. Clowns take a while to establish dominance.

 

Oh sad that made me so mad to read poor little guy, he just wants to sleep in the nem .. I feel bad for fish when they get bullied around by other fish. I really hope they get along so the little one can get in there

 

let them be and they will work it out. relationships go that way sometimes. in my own experiences, she usually lets me back in the house eventually.

 

Yeah makes me want get the small clown his own nem....he was the first to get in it Sunday too, poor thing discovered it then got kicked out

 

That is so depressing, Im sure that he will be allowed back in. Just give it time. if not buy him an even BETTER one