Clown problem

[rcreations]

Oh boy, just when I thought I had it figured out, my clowns start giving me problems. A week ago I bought 2 yellow stripe maroons. I got one bigger and one smaller. They instantly got along, best buds, swimming together really friendly. All good so far.
Then on Friday, I added a bubble tip anemone. For the first few hours, nothing happened. Then the larger clown saw it and immediately started hosting, rubbing in it, looking really happy. Problem is that now the little clown can't get within a radius of that anemone without being hit by the big one. And here's the interesting part... at night, they both shared the anemone. Only when the lights come on, the big one is beating up the little one if it gets too close. Now the little one is just swimming in a corner and even has a small scratch.
So what are my options here? Will they eventually get along? Should I wait? I don't want the little one to get killed.

 

[bang guy]

This is common when the Anemone is small. As long as they are together some time during the day it's fairly normal behavior.

 

[rcreations]

The anemone is not small, it's 6" big, plenty of room for both. And the only time they're together is at night. During the day, the little clown gets hit and has to stay in a corner to be safe.

 

[lexluethar]

I have the same EXACT issue. I have two clowns and one is larger than the other. It beats the tar out of the other one if it gets anywhere near the anemone. When i turn on the lights at night they are both sleeping inside it.
I think it is normal behavior, just displaying dominance.

 

[dogstar]

My BTA is 20 +". I would not call 6", " big ".

 

[rcreations]

I didn't know they got that big. Guess I always see the ones at the fish store and they're always like 3"
So it sounds like this is normal behavior. Oh well, at least now I won't worry about the little one getting killed.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by RCreations
I didn't know they got that big. Guess I always see the ones at the fish store and they're always like 3"
So it sounds like this is normal behavior. Oh well, at least now I won't worry about the little one getting killed.
Well, I don't want you to worry too much but it's also normal for Maroon Clownfish to "go through" several males before settling with a long term partner.
Here's a picture of a BTA appropriately sized for a Maroon Clownfish:

 

[rcreations]

Well, I hate to break it to her but if she kills him, she'll be a widow for life. Because I'm not buying her another husband.

 

[lexluethar]

Originally Posted by RCreations
Well, I hate to break it to her but if she kills him, she'll be a widow for life. Because I'm not buying her another husband.

HAHAHA HILLARIOUS!

 

[rcreations]

It's a miracle! Or she read the message I posted yesterday.

But today, they're both sharing the anemone and she's not attacking him anymore.