Purple Firefish is agressive toward clowns???

[kim000]

I have a purple firefish goby and two tank raised clowns in a 36 gallon tank with about 35lb of rock (25 live). I have had the firefish for 2 months and the clowns for about 3 weeks. They were all living peacefully together up until the last couple of days. Mr. Peep (the firefish) has taken over about 2/3 of the tank now. He is always hanging up front and chasing the clowns into a corner. Today, he nailed one of the clowns so hard it looked like the clown was about to pass out. Does anyone know why he would all of a sudden get so aggressive? Any advice as to what I should do?
My instinct is telling me to catch Mr. Peep and take him back to the LFS. I really want a peaceful tank. It breaks my heart to see fish stressed out. The clowns are starting to look stressed and not their normal happy go lucky selves. However, I have grown quite fond of Mr. Peep. This hobby is tougher on the soul than I ever imagined.
Please advise. Thanks!
Kim

 

[kevin j]

a purple firefish is one of the more aggressive firefish. Mine takes nothing from no one which includes a yellow tang that is twice his size and a maroon clown and this is in a 75. It seems like HIS area just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Which is totally the opposite of the cousin the red firefish that is scared of there own shadow.
kevin

 

[dacia]

Maybe they think they are kings because they are purple...anyway, I am getting a firefish this week from swf.com (not a purple one) and I hope that it will get along with the maroon clown that I plan to put in there in a couple of months.

 

[ozadars]

Are you sure you are talking about purple firefish?
This is the first time i heard about an aggressive firefish.

 

[kim000]

Yes. I am sure it is a purple firefish. Everything that I have read has indicated that even the purple firefish is supposed to be shy. I think he is trying to take over the entire tank. Bummer...

 

[doodle1800]

The clown will eventually not survive in that tank if the firefish insists on being a bully. So I'd take the firefish back.

 

[powdertoastman]

yea i would take him back before your clowns start getting torn fins or worse. we have a purple firefish, gets along with everything in the tank, have a pair of percs, yellow tail, had a coral beauty (died in hypo with one of the clowns) and had a purple pcudo., none fought, the firefish is full grown, about 4" long, very nice fish if you ask me. i would take him back for something a little nicer, maybe a red firefish.