Clownfish sick? Aggression?

[jwilkey2468]

I recently introduced a new clownfish to my tank. My old clown is a little bigger (but not by much) so I am assuming it is a female. It’s been in my tank alone for about 3 weeks after killing my 6-line wrasse. I gave her a new clown today (same kind of clown) and now she is pecking at it. Is this normal or should I put a breeder box of sort and trap her in it?

Also I noticed my old clown has black markings on it. This has slowly come to my attention but I’m not sure if it’s been there or if it’s sick.

Please advise

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Clowns are known to be aggressive, so the pecking is most likely normal behavior - the black spots look odd to me though. Maybe one of the #fishmedic can confirm if there's an issue there.

 

[Sharkbait19]

It’s normal for clowns to be aggressive, especially to newcomers. Hopefully they will figure things out, you can try separating the aggressor for a bit if it worsens.
The black spots look like hypermelaninization from anemone/coral stings - do you have any stinging corals or nems?

 

[jwilkey2468]

It’s normal for clowns to be aggressive, especially to newcomers. Hopefully they will figure things out, you can try separating the aggressor for a bit if it worsens.
The black spots look like hypermelaninization from anemone/coral stings - do you have any stinging corals or nems?

I just separated them, the more aggressive clown is in a breeder box to separate them. I think I might try and keep her in there for a day and really observe their behavior.

I have a lot of Zoas, mushrooms and leathers in my tank. Could that cause hypermelaninization?

 

[jwilkey2468]

Clowns are known to be aggressive, so the pecking is most likely normal behavior - the black spots look odd to me though. Maybe one of the #fishmedic can confirm if there's an issue there.

I just separated them via breeder box, how long would you recommend me keeping them apart for? I know it’s a new introduction, so for all I know they could only be doing this for a little then it could stop. Would you recommend me letting them go at it and and observe them?

 

[Sharkbait19]

I just separated them, the more aggressive clown is in a breeder box to separate them. I think I might try and keep her in there for a day and really observe their behavior.

I have a lot of Zoas, mushrooms and leathers in my tank. Could that cause hypermelaninization?

The usual culprits are hammers, torches, nems, and Duncans. I think some mushrooms can too though.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I just separated them via breeder box, how long would you recommend me keeping them apart for? I know it’s a new introduction, so for all I know they could only be doing this for a little then it could stop. Would you recommend me letting them go at it and and observe them?

Personally, I'd probably keep the one in the breeder box for a few days to try and let them get used to each other without aggression/being able to hurt each other.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Minor squabbling may just be their way to set up their "pecking order" but if it leads to mouth damage, missing scales or torn fins, separate the aggressor again.