Clownfish biting Magnifica’s mouth

[The new fish on the block]

Hey all,

I have been observing a behavior that I have never seen with any of my other clowns.

I have a pair of Picasso Clowns, and they have been biting/ pushing the anemones mouth.

This will happen periodically throughout the day, but it happens very often as my lights are ramping down, and the nem lets out some water before the lights turn off.

At first I didn’t think much of it as it was only the female that was doing this, but now she has most stopped and the male has picked up the behavior and is a little more forceful when doing it. I have seen the anemone physically react to the male biting it.

Is this a normal behavior?

 

[KrisReef]

I suspect that it is normal and that it is helpful for the anemone's health, somehow? My observation on clownfish in bubble tip anemones and plate corals is that the host would thrive with the fishes tending it..

 

[The new fish on the block]

I suspect that it is normal and that it is helpful for the anemone's health, somehow? My observation on clownfish in bubble tip anemones and plate corals is that the host would thrive with the fishes tending it..

Yeah, I figure that’s the case, but after seeing them cause a physical reaction from the nem I just wanted to make sure. I am babying the heck out of it, because of what kind it is. But slowly I’m starting to step back and let it do its thing.

 

[KrisReef]

Yeah, I figure that’s the case, but after seeing them cause a physical reaction from the nem I just wanted to make sure. I am babying the heck out of it, because of what kind it is. But slowly I’m starting to step back and let it do its thing.

I think I saw some of your other posts about this nem?

I know you are being watchful and the truth about clownfish is that they are very aggressive with their invert friends. They have been implicated by hobbyists of killing coral that they tried living in. I still think these are just doing their jobs and it will be fine, but I am also aware that you are being vigilant about this interaction and trust you will step in if it becomes necessary.

I don’t think that it will go badly.

Pictures for the envious and curious would be greatly appreciated as a way to document this journey.

 

[D-Nak]

Unfortunately, it's not normal. Healthy magnfica have tight mouths and don't like getting picked at.

I've seen this happen with my gig when it wasn't healthy. The clownfish would try to "dive bomb" into the mouth. The anemone eventually died. Hopefully this isn't the case with your magnifica.

I suggest that you keep the clownfish well fed. If they're eating a lot and still doing it then you may want to separate the anemone and the clownfish. They may just be an extremely physical and rough pair of fish.

 

[The new fish on the block]

Unfortunately, it's not normal. Healthy magnfica have tight mouths and don't like getting picked at.

I've seen this happen with my gig when it wasn't healthy. The clownfish would try to "dive bomb" into the mouth. The anemone eventually died. Hopefully this isn't the case with your magnifica.

I suggest that you keep the clownfish well fed. If they're eating a lot and still doing it then you may want to separate the anemone and the clownfish. They may just be an extremely physical and rough pair of fish.

Darn, not what I wanted to hear but I appreciate your input nonetheless.

That being said, I think you might be onto something with keeping the clowns better fed.

Right now they are only fed at night, because I leave for work in the morning about 3 hours before my lights come on.

I have an auto feeder I just need to get it set up, once that’s done I will try seeing if feeding 2-3 times a day helps.


Thanks guys!

 

[The new fish on the block]

@KrisReef @D-Nak

I was finally able to get a video of it, I kinda forgot because I hadn’t seen them do it for a few days , but I seen the male at it again tonight.

 

[D-Nak]

I'm glad that you were able to capture it on video. I envisioned something completely different. Your magnifica looks healthy and its mouth is tight. It looks like the clownfish may be investigating, looking for food or possibly just some comfort, but it doesn't appear to be doing anything that concerns me.

If you're able to drop the current down a bit, to enable the mag's tentacles to elongate and sway a bit more, the clownfish may feel more at ease by allowing it to lean against or "cuddle" with the tentacles, and it'll stop going near the mag's mouth.

 

[The new fish on the block]

I'm glad that you were able to capture it on video. I envisioned something completely different. Your magnifica looks healthy and its mouth is tight. It looks like the clownfish may be investigating, looking for food or possibly just some comfort, but it doesn't appear to be doing anything that concerns me.

If you're able to drop the current down a bit, to enable the mag's tentacles to elongate and sway a bit more, the clownfish may feel more at ease by allowing it to lean against or "cuddle" with the tentacles, and it'll stop going near the mag's mouth.

Will do! I have my wave maker on random so it doesn’t stay that strong all the time, but I will drop the peak intensity a bit and see how it does.

Thanks!