My daughter wanted my clown to have a friens and he killed it.

[Treenk]

So, big problem. I had 2 clowns, but one of them died durring the move about a year ago. The one I have is probably about 3 years old now. My daughter insisted she needed a new friend so she picked out a new one. I acclimated it and put it in yesterday. The original did the normal nip periodically, but honestly less then normal. And didn't seem to be actually making contact. I woke up to the new one dead, and a crab trying to eat it. And one of the small rocks had been knocked over. Typically I'd say, yeah she wants to be alone, but my daughter is 4, and my wife wants me to replace it before she knows. Is there anything I can do to keep the pairing process from being lethal? Also this clown attacks me when I put my hand in the tank does that mean she is too aggressive?

 

[Sharkbait19]

My female occy attacks my hand when I enter the tank, but she does let her mate live (this is her second one).
What species of clown/what morph? Some are better than others and imo there’s better success with closer matches (2 black clowns, 2 wild type, etc.).
Starting the new fish in an acclimation box (or removing the female to an acclimation box when the new one goes in) may help them get used to each other.
At the end of the day, some clowns are just bad and are best left on their own.

 

[Treenk]

So the original is a generic percula, while the new one was a Picasso. (Though it didn't say it, I'm pretty sure those are percula as well)

 

[Treenk]

I may get a acclimating box, and if it has to live in it, I guess that's better than breaking her heart she has pushing for it for months.

 

[jamesb07]

Acclimation box and proper sized mate. I got one that has now killed 3 of her mates. I’ve heard it’s very common for clowns to nip like that once they get older. Just please be mindful of putting new fish into display tank without treating, I did this and ich wiped my whole tank.

 

[kvansloo]

Make sure the new one is considerably smaller then the older one.

 

[KrisReef]

my daughter is 4, and my wife wants me to replace it before she knows.

My 4 year old wants to know how old is your wife?

I would worry more about my daughters opinion of me. Why would I try to tell her that this new fish was the same one as the missing fish?

If the fish is lonely, I might trade it in and tell the child that the fish will find a new mate at the store. I may or may not bring home a new pair of clownfish, but if you do make certain the are a truly mated pair living in their own tank in peace before starting down this road again.

 

[Uncle99]

So, big problem. I had 2 clowns, but one of them died durring the move about a year ago. The one I have is probably about 3 years old now. My daughter insisted she needed a new friend so she picked out a new one. I acclimated it and put it in yesterday. The original did the normal nip periodically, but honestly less then normal. And didn't seem to be actually making contact. I woke up to the new one dead, and a crab trying to eat it. And one of the small rocks had been knocked over. Typically I'd say, yeah she wants to be alone, but my daughter is 4, and my wife wants me to replace it before she knows. Is there anything I can do to keep the pairing process from being lethal? Also this clown attacks me when I put my hand in the tank does that mean she is too aggressive?

Yes.

You increase chances of pairing when the new entry is no larger than 3/4” (a male juvenile) and is of the same species and colour pattern.

 

[Treenk]

Is too small a problem because this new one was maybe 20% if that.

 

[jabberwock]

How many gallons is the tank?

 

[Treenk]

Only 12 it 13 csnt remember

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Just to add - definitely use the acclimation box. Keep the newcomer in the acclimation box where the two fish can see and "smell" each other but not interact directly for at least a few days/a couple of weeks - this gives the two time to get used to each other, and it'll really boost your chances of the established clown accepting the newcomer.

 

[Lasse]

This is the way i did it. Both had been on their own (in different aquaria) for 3 + years and was equal in size. Nowadays they spend most of the time together



If I will do it again - I will wait 6-7 days, introduce the new one into the DT direct before the light switch of in the evening. Feed it well during the time in the box.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Tcook]

12 gallons? Way too small for clowns imo. I have a pair in my 120 and they can get aggressive towards new comers.

 

[Rjukan]

Make sure the new one is considerably smaller then the older one.

This is good advice imo

 

[exnisstech]

Is too small a problem because this new one was maybe 20% if that.

You want the smallest you can find to assure it is still male. When looking for a male I like to find a tank full of little ones then I select the least dominant fish which is ussualy the one getting picked on the most and running away. This helps me to be confident that the fish is still male.
You could also explain to your daughter that fish do not have emotions like humans and they do not really need friends. In fact friends are competitors for food so not really friends at all.

 

[littlefoxx]

I have a 3-4 inch maroon female. Shes been with me 2 years now. When I got her I was told she murdered a triggerfish, tangs, and large angels in her previous tank and that she couldnt be paired. I decided to try to pair her. I got her a tiny (size of a dime) gold nugget maroon clown. I kept him in the acclimation box for probably 3 weeks. She tried to attack the box at first but as time went on she was just curious and came up to look at him a lot, so I let him go. She nipped a few times but they bonded pretty quickly after that. Maybe try this with your female? Sounds like she was mad another clown was plopped in her tank, might have to give her time to adjust cause that tank is hers lol