Clownfish are Fighting

[oh lil azn]

I have 2 Tankbred True Percula clownfish in a 6g nano..
They've got along great..I would say I've had them for about a week or maybe a lil more?
Anyways..today I fed them and after I fed them the SLIGHTLY I mean VERY? SLIGHTLY bigger one started biting the other one. It like bit onto the other bottom fin n' held on for like 5 seconds! It was crazy..Anyways..what should I do?

 

[bonebrake]

Six gallons is too small for two clowns, try to look into at least a 10 gallon or a 12 gallon nano cube.
The behavior is normal though, the slightly bigger one will fight and beat up on the little one for domination so that it can eventually become the female. You may also see the smaller one spaz out or twitch in submission to the larger one. It is really cool to see. Eventually they will pair up and not fight any more.

 

[saltwater8]

Six gallons is WAY to small for a clownfish much less two!!!!!

 

[oh lil azn]

I've seen a really nice 6g tank with 2 maroon clownfish...
But yeah I've seen the lil guy spazz out!!! I was like huh??? lol I thought something was wrong..So I guess it's normal for them to fight..How will I know that the bigger one turned into a female already? I already knew that one will eventually turn into a female...I just don't know when...

 

[bonebrake]

Because you have seen it done does not mean it is the right thing to do.
Assuming they are juveniles and only an inch or inch and a half long, it will take a little over a year for the sexes to be determined. Until then they will remain "ungendered".
For the sake of your fish, look into a bigger tank or find them a new home.

 

[saltwater8]

Originally Posted by Bonebrake
Because you have seen it done does not mean it is the right thing to do.

Assuming they are juveniles and only an inch or inch and a half long, it will take a little over a year for the sexes to be determined. Until then they will remain "ungendered".
One will be dead long before that for sure, probably both, so it won't matter.
For the sake of your fish, look into a bigger tank or find them a new home.

From the aquaria doctors site:
True Percula Clownfish - Tank-Bred
(Amphiprion percula)
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 3"
Color Form: Black, Orange, White
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Tank Bred
Family: Pomacentridae
Tank Bred: Yes
:happyfish

 

[pclown]

Originally Posted by oh lil azn
I've seen a really nice 6g tank with 2 maroon clownfish...
But yeah I've seen the lil guy spazz out!!! I was like huh??? lol I thought something was wrong..So I guess it's normal for them to fight..How will I know that the bigger one turned into a female already? I already knew that one will eventually turn into a female...I just don't know when...
Yes, just because you seen it does mot mean it is right or that they will survive for very long. You are doing those fish an injustice.

 

[oh lil azn]

HmMm...well I just bought this tank to whatever..I'm not gonna buy a new one.
With weekly water changes I believe My fish WILL survive and just out grow the tank.

 

[bluelagoon]

i had an ocellaris clownfish in a 5 gal tank for 6 months. he seemed fine. i just upgraded to a 10 gal tank (biggest i can have in my dorm) and got another ocellaris. they are sooo happy now! they swim around a LOT more and eat a TON more than the one used to in the smaller tank.
so they may SURVIVE, but they won't be HAPPY.
and no offense, but you must not have done any research to see that there is a DRASTIC limit on what you can keep in such a small tank. if you refuse to make your fish happy then you might want to consider finding them someone who will.
even a plain 10 gal tank is not that expensive. 10 bucks from wal-mart. or you could get a 20 gal tank for like 30-40 bucks. to keep your fish ALIVE and HAPPY. as is an important key in this hobby.
why would you want to get rid of your fish when they out grow the tank? you may not realize it now, but you'll get super attached to them! and possibly be one of us crazy people that talk to their fish!
the key to success is to enjoy it and research! and listen to the research you read! have fun with your fish, whatever you decide to do!

:thinking: :happyfish ***)

 

[saltwater8]

Originally Posted by oh lil azn
HmMm...well I just bought this tank so whatever..I'm not gonna buy a new one.
With weekly water changes I believe My fish WILL survive and just out grow the tank.
So, not to be rude, but why bother coming here and asking advice from people who know what they are doing if you aren't going to follow it?

I could cram you into a closet and feed you, you would survive also....
Think about it...

 

[mryoung7]

Originally Posted by Saltwater8
So, not to be rude, but why bother coming here and asking advice from people who know what they are doing if you aren't going to follow it?

I could cram you into a closet and feed you, you would survive also....
Think about it...

well put. no one here has any motive but to help you and your fish. sometimes you find out that you made a (relatively costly) mistake and you fix it rather than making the fish live with your mistake.

 

[oh lil azn]

Originally Posted by bluelagoon
i had an ocellaris clownfish in a 5 gal tank for 6 months. he seemed fine. i just upgraded to a 10 gal tank (biggest i can have in my dorm) and got another ocellaris. they are sooo happy now! they swim around a LOT more and eat a TON more than the one used to in the smaller tank.
so they may SURVIVE, but they won't be HAPPY.
and no offense, but you must not have done any research to see that there is a DRASTIC limit on what you can keep in such a small tank. if you refuse to make your fish happy then you might want to consider finding them someone who will.
even a plain 10 gal tank is not that expensive. 10 bucks from wal-mart. or you could get a 20 gal tank for like 30-40 bucks. to keep your fish ALIVE and HAPPY. as is an important key in this hobby.
why would you want to get rid of your fish when they out grow the tank? you may not realize it now, but you'll get super attached to them! and possibly be one of us crazy people that talk to their fish!
the key to success is to enjoy it and research! and listen to the research you read! have fun with your fish, whatever you decide to do!

:thinking: :happyfish ***)
:joy: ThankYOU for being nice...

I mean My fish do look happy!
And I have been researching a lot...you people have no idea..
Anyways I'm not gonna buy another tank because My 6g was EXPENSIVE! lol

And whatever. I bought the 2 Tankbred Clowns already so can't really return them...and I want them.
If they outgrow the tank...then I'll just put them in My bf's 110g...I think thats enough room.

Plus if I were to get a 10g tank I have no place to put them.
Plus I don't really wanna buy a whole new tank....some more sand.....and rock....and filter.....and bla bla bla.

 

[pclown]

If you did your research then you would have known that you should not put two Clowns in a 6g tank.
Why not take them back, I have never known a fish store that would not allow you to return fish for some type of store credit. At least take 1 back.
They will be grateful.
Also just because someone else did it wrong is not a reason for you to do the same.
We are here to help but we do get frustrated when people ask and then act like we are stupid and dont know what we are talking about.
I do wish you luck and great success!

 

[mryoung7]

you said that if they outgrew the tank, you could just put them in your boyfriend's large tank.
well, two clowns is already too much for the 6 gallon tank. and a no-cost solution is to either sell one back to the lfs (as previously stated, it's hard to find one that won't give some credit) or put one in your boyfriend's large tank. problem solved.
being flexible will get you a long way in this hobby. i hope you'll do what's best for the fish that are in your care.