Clowns fighting! :(

So I've got a 30 gallon tank that's just finished cycling (it's 4 weeks old) with only live rock, snails, crabs, and 2 peppermint shrimp in it. I went to the LFS store the other day and bought two black and white clowns. When I went to the store I picked two being raised in the same tank compartment, and after removing the first, the second freaked out and hopped into the adjacent tank, with 2 more black and white clowns. I didn't know which was which so I picked one.

Anyway, now I've got them in the same tank. I put them in about 30 hrs ago, and they've been eating, etc. They only stay in one corner of the tank, and haven't moved from that corner. I separated them and put one across the tank, but they always migrate together in that corner.

I've been catching them fighting each other every few hours, swimming in a tight circle around each other and nipping. I've tried feeding them to break it up, which works for a few minutes, but they go back to fighting.

I'm thinking maybe the second clown I chose wasn't the one originally in the same tank? Either way, should that matter? They should get along right?

Is this just because they're brand new to the tank? (both the staying in a corner and fighting with each other) What can I do? Should I take them back to the LFS store tomorrow?

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.

 

Just wait a little. They will fight a little at first to establish dominance. If it continues or you see it escalate to more than nipping, then I would remove one.

 

Just wait and see how it goes. They are trying to establish rank, so fighting is how they do it. My clown is mean to any new fish for the first day or two, and then he calms down. But if it seems to be escalating and one is really getting injured, then I would take one out. Aks your LFS, hopefully they would know what to do. Hope all goes well!

 

Thanks everybody. I'll keep a close eye on them. If anyone else has input, feel free to add!

 

hi David

as said above, its normal IME for clowns and other species to skirmish from time to time, in order to establish dominance, generally no major harm is done
providing there is no damage being done or that 1 fish seeks and tries to destroy the other fish, irrespective of location in the tank, then IMO - they will settle and only periodically fall out, just so the dominant one reminds the other one "who the boss is"

Steve

 

+1 perfectly said steve

 

Every fish that has entered my tank has had to go through the "initiation" - being chased, fin nipping, being roughed up a bit for a few days. It has never come to the point of anything life threatening and all get along well in the tank now. I agree with giving it a bit more time unless things turn for the worse.