Need help with Damsel and False Percula Clown

Need help with Damsel and False Percula Clown

I have a 10 gallon nano tank. Levels are all good. Long story short I had a 4 strip damsel for years and he decided to jump out of the tank about 2 months ago.

I went to the store and purchased a yellow tale damsel (he is blue wit ha yellow tale). He has been doing great but I decided I wanted to add one more fish to add some color and movement. I really like clownfish and always wanted one so I did some research and narrowed down my selection to either a Ocellaris Clownfish or a Misbar Ocellaris Clownfish . I went to the local PetCo and saw they had a Ocellaris Clownfish so I decided to get him.

Took him home put him in the tank and the damsel is being super agressive. Funny thing is the damsel is about 3/4" and the clown is probably double that size at 1.5". The damsel just constantly swims over to the clown and puts his back to him then he raises his dorsal fins and angles his head down and tail up. Seems like pretty obvious behavior to me.

He is not biting the clown but the clown is now staying torwards the back of the tank and swiming near the sand behind my rocks. It is like he is hiding. He comes out every now and then to swim around but I think he is scared. He did not eat yesterday but today he finally ate some brine shrimp. I hope he will eat some flake soon.

Do you guys have any suggestions on what I can do. I like both fish but the clown is definitly a nicer fish, a more expensive fish and a fish I want to keep and have happy. At the same time it is not like I don't dare about the damsel. I just thought after doing my research that the yellow tale was one of the most friendly and least agressive dasels - that is why I got him. And now it seems not to be the case.

Looking for ideas on what I can do to make the situation better.

Thanks

 

They are just establishing dominance/territory. Its something that all fish on the slightly more aggressive side will go through. Soon enough the clown will be putting the damsel in it's place. I would be more concerend about the not eating part (which is most likely not related to the fish's interactions).
On a side note, if this is a hobby you want to take seriously and be involved with for any length of time, stop going to DeathCo. Its only going to cause you major problems and headaches down the road. Find yourself a friendly, knowledgeable, locally owned LFS.

 

Agreed on the dominance point kudos there.

As for the Petco remark...

What does this have to do with his post. Not all petcos are bad and maybe that is the only store around him. Can we please as a whole stop this. I fond someone bad mouthing petco once a month and frankly it is old and not worth writing.

 

well people would stop talking about petco. if it wasn't the truth. As for the fish, what pack said is right. theres nothing you can do. Eventually they'll get used to each other or one'll die.

 

Please review the 3reef User Agreement.

I think some people might want to review this again as we agreed to it when we made our accounts.

 

Yes Petco - Sorry I mentioned it. As I see it I am simply saving that fish from eventual death at the store. I do have to say there are some very nice Petco's out there. I have seen a few of the new stores and they are very nice, well maintained and good staff. However the sad truth is that many are horriable places.

I don't care much for the one near my house but it is very close and I wanted to save an animal from there.

I typically go to specialty places and my fav place is that pet place out in lancaster PA. Great store and huge selection.


I do take this serious and have been doding it for several years I just never tried to keep two fish at the same time. I do a reef and enjoy the coral and the inverts but I wanted to get two fish.

So you guys think this will work out? The clown is not at the top of the tank swiming funny (I think just because he is a clownfish) but at least he is not hiding.

As for feeding he did not eat flake but he did eat a bunch of frozen brine shrimp so he did eat - I just need him to eay flake becuase it is eaiser to feed and control in terms of portion. When you have a small tank you don't want a lot of waste.

 

The clown may be swimming odd due to the abuse from the damsel. you could try rearranging the rock this may stop it or just let nature take its course.

as for feedin my feeling has always been when they are hungry they will eat. give him a few days and see what happens.

 

I would say give it time.
As for the arguments with PetCo. Even if you don't agree with my statement - the fact of the matter is is that petco's supplier does not breed fish in captivity - at all. They are all harvested from the wild. And it is well known that wild caught clownfish do not do nearly as well in captivity. They tend to start sluggish, not eat, then die. That is why it is so highly suggested that you buy captive bred specimens. So yes, the fact of the matter is that where he got the fish could have everything to do with problems he has listed. Please do not go typing in all bold, red letters towards other members unless you yourself have studied and understand exactly what is going on in the thread.

 

I couldn't disagree with you more sean.

Yes, all PetCo's are bad. No such thing as a PetCo that responsibly acquires fish.

 

Ill second that I went to three different deathcos and they all take lousy care of their livestock...corals were melting, fish sitting on the bottom waiting to rot away its really sad...theres one deathco that my friend works at in the aquatics and he at least trys to help the fish...I would deff say he isnt the wisest saltwater care taker but hes ok