What do you do with your rude fish?

Hi Guys,

I was wondering what you all do with fish that just don't seem to able to get along. I have two Clarkii clowns that just can't settle. They were the first fish I put in the tank and I thought that they did better in pairs. One is bigger than the other. The problem got a little worse when I added the tang. The big clown won't let the smaller one leave the upper right hand corner of the tank. He hangs out around the powerhead and mag float. I am sure that he doesn't hang there out of his own choice. He eats well when it comes to feeding, but the other clown will chase him back to his place after a while. The big clown fish is also very skittish and creates a nervous atmosphere in the tank. Am I over thinking this? Do you think they will settle down with additional fish or time (they have been in there for a couple of months now)? Or should I bag the big one up and take him back to the LFS (if they will take him)? Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Ivy

 

She's likely to remain mean to him until it's time for their first spawning. Then she'll let him down out of the corner.

 

So do you think that things will eventually settle down? How old are they before they begin to spawn?

 

Inwall summed up my 1st marriage perfectly there

Steve

 

I would guess a year to a year and a half old. The females can be quite aggressive until then and will often rip the males fins, and just generally beat them senseless. When they start swimming side by side and do a funny "shaking dance" they are ready to spawn.

 

thats the funniest ones i've heard in a long time.

 

Thanks for the replies. It would certainly be nice if they could get along. One more question if you don't mind. Do they go back to the old behavior once they have spawned?

 

Steve,

That was hilarious!!!!

Once they become a mated pair, they are usually nice to each other for the rest of their life. Then BOTH of them become rude to other fish and you. LOL Wait until the first time you're cleaning your glass and they attack your arm.