What happened to my clowns?

I've had two false percs together in my 55 for at least 3 months. One of the clowns entered the tank about a month before the other. These two seemed to be the best of friends until I noticed one chasing the other around the tank last night. By this evening the chasee was MIA, I suspect a victim of his one time buddy and then a meal for the crabs and bristles . What would cause this type of behavior ? Is it safe to get another clown?

 

It sounds to me like the aggressor clown underwent her sex change and became a dominant female. Not sure if you know this, but all clowns start out as males. When they mature the dominant one becomes a female. If the female didn't like the other clown in there or it was refusing to submit, I imagine that could be why there were problems. I suggest getting another clown, make sure that it is significantly smaller than the one you have in there. Hopefully, she will accept this new clown and they will pair up. I hope all goes well for you. GLTA

 

They will battle with eachother to figure out who is dominant too. Have a look around your tank if possibly one jumped out from being chased. They can jump quite high when they want to. Speaking from experience

 

You're right, he's been located unfortunately far too late.

Next question, this is the second fish I've had jump on me (Lawnmower Blenny was the first). I know everyone suggests eggcrate but I have a canopy on the tank and it seems like my hands are always in the tank so how would I get around this eggcrate all of the time. Is there another solution?

 

Nice answers serotonin and Monacle. serotonin you get the prise

Egg crating is about it or a glass top.

 

Did the lil dude get out through a hole in your canopy. Left a canopy door open perhaps? Depending on the design you really should be able to keep those prison doors closed on the fish

 

The canopy only covers the front and the sides, the back is wide open. I think I need to get some eggcrate to cover the back half of the tank. That would still leave the front half open for me to clean, feed, etc.

 

Just make sure the egg crate is small enough that another fish cant get through the holes. I belive that's a definite possibility. Maybe even plastic screen, like for a patio door could work.

HTH!

 

I Have The Eggcrate And I Cut It So A Small Amount At The Front Can Be Removed For Testing And Feeding. I Can't Imagine A Fish Getting Through The Small Squares Unless Your Fish Is 1 Centimeter In Diameter.