Q about percula clowns, from a total newb

fourgig

fourgig

New Member
I have two 1.5" percula clowns. They were bought together (out of the same tank) and put into a new tank together. They chased each other around every now and then for the first few days.
Today is the 5th day I've had them, and one of the percula seems to be getting bullied bad. He gets chased around constantly and he's hiding in corners all the time. I've even seen him float belly up quite a few times today, which REALLY scares me.
Is this normal behavior?? I'm afraid that I'm going to wake up in the morning and see the poor clown floating belly up...for good. :(
 
fishfreek

fishfreek

Active Member
I think your fish are doing this because they are the same size. Can you take one of them back and get eighter a larger or smaller one?
I keep two different size false percs in my 45g and they are best of freinds. HTH
 
blutang

blutang

Member
I would suggest that you go with the idea of getting a bigger or smaller one....for some reason clowns can get really pissy towards either other out of competition.
 
bentrue

bentrue

Member
i agree, it is a dominance thing between the clowns. one being larger should solve the problem on which one is the stud. :)
 
tangman99

tangman99

Active Member
When you get two together out of a large group, they are usually males. When you pair them up, they will fight to see which one will be dominate and become the female. It will literaly change its gender.
You will know when this is over as they will usually calm down and one will be bigger (the female is the boss).
My pair fought like crazy for several weeks and the one would only come out to eat. Now they are always together and get along fine.
Tangman :D
 
fourgig

fourgig

New Member
I don't think I can take one of them back for a new fish.
This morning, both clowns were fine. They weren't chasing each other around, and the one wasn't floating belly up. They were just swimming around regularly.
Later today when I get back from work, they're at it again. The same clown as yesterday is once again getting chased around and it's floating around belly up every now and then.
I hope the fighting stops soon. Do the clowns ever get killed because of this fighting for dominance?
 
twoods71

twoods71

Active Member
Sometimes a clown will die during the fighting period. :(
Most likely though as stated above they will settle there differences and become best friends. :)
 
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