Resubmission?

[cocoacf]

I have had two clowns in a 14g biocube for over a month now, and they paired up pretty quick. I'd say the smaller submitted and they swam around the tank together after just a few hours.
I added a baby pygmy angelfish today, and the larger clown is starting to pick on my smaller one again. The smaller one is showing signs of submission again by shaking his body when the clown comes near him. The pygmy hasn't bother them at all.. he went right into the LR and hasn't come out hardly.. and the clowns haven't messed with the pygmy.
Is this normal for clowns when a new fish is added?
The pygmy will be the final fish added.

 

[lmecher]

IMO you shouldn't have added that third fish. The intruder upset your clowns delicate relationship that was just forming. I would think a 14 almost too small for 1 pair of clowns. They're is going to be constant turmoil, too much energy will be expended chasing each other around in circles and nowhere to go. I'd rethink that if I were you.

 

[cocoacf]

I did a lot of research before putting a new fish in. It came down to him, or a Sixline wrasse. But I just couldn't get over the beauty of the pygmy.
Also, the LFS I go to tells me very accurate information. Anything they have told me I research and find it to be the same on the internet. Whether it be recommendations for a tank, or how to care for something else. That being said, I trusted their judgement about adding the pygmy.
I have seen many respected members on here, as well as other SWF boards that have 3-5 fish in a 14g (some including a pair of clowns). Considering the pygmy is the smallest of the Dwarf Angelfish, I felt I was completely in line. As I mentioned, this is also my last fish addition to the tank.
I don't think I upset a delicate relationship either. If you figure that a clown only lives a few years... a month to them would be quite awhile of being together. The clowns have not been acting strange today, so that's good.

 

[rod buehle]

Clowns only live a few years?

Clowns are very territorial. Yes, their territory is usually very small, depending on the species (which species do you have?). Their territory could easily take up a 14 cube. Here territory has been invaded, so she needs to show who is boss again even though she is taking her aggression out on the wrong fish.

 

[cocoacf]

Ok... I didn't mean a few, as in 3. I was talking more general. But they don't live that long, specially compared to humans.

 

[rod buehle]

My oldest pair is well over 15 and still laying down viable spawns about every 2 weeks. I know that the shed in Chicago has/had a maroon that is over 35. 35 is a pretty long time. Yes, not as long as the average human life but still long enough.

 

[the_hadleys]

Originally Posted by Rod Buehle
http:///forum/post/2946001
My oldest pair is well over 15 and still laying down viable spawns about every 2 weeks. I know that the shed in Chicago has/had a maroon that is over 35. 35 is a pretty long time. Yes, not as long as the average human life but still long enough.
+1