Tomato Clownfish is killing Firefish!What to do?

[fishtails]

I just bought a firefish today and its been in the tank for a hour or so now.Well I already had two fish(tomato clown-lemon damsel)and the clownfish started biting or what appeared to be biting the firefish.What's wrong?The firefish appears to be dead(and if so 20bucks lost)What would cause the clownfish to be so mean?Its gotta go.(I feel so mad that I can kill it)Also the clownfish literally grabbed it on the side and was swimming with it trying to get loose.i will remove this neuseince asap.Alex

 

[striker]

It's not the clowns fault for being territorial. It is instinctive and natural. Adding a new fish to an already established tank is always a risk. Definitely keep the lights off, move around ornaments or rocks and feeding them some food always works for me(keeps them distracted). This aggressive behavior is a method of survival. If somebody dropped a few strangers into your apartment or house I bet you'd be pretty ticked off too. Good luck on your next addition and try not to be too angry with the tomato or damsel.

 

[fishtails]

Thanks for the input Striker.I'll try that and see what happens. If that dosen't work what should I do then?Again thanks for the info.!

 

[striker]

The tomato and damsel are pretty territorial so adding another fish is going to be tough(especially in a 20 gallon). If it were me I'd add a fish that doesn't threaten their territory (a bottom dweller) or another hardy fish that would be able to handle the acclimation period and hold it's own against them. A firefish will be tricky because it's not very aggressive and are known as jumpers. Are there any other small fish you were considering to get? My last additions to my tank was a royal gramma(which hides out alot) and the mandarin. My clownfish and damsel didn't bother the mandarin at all because he's mostly skipping around and close to the ground. I did however have a percula which was tormented and stressed to death by the bullies. Maybe others on this board can help you with their experiences.

 

[fishtails]

Thanks again Striker.i moved all the lr around and dug the firefish a small hole whch he went into. I still don't know if the clown will mess with him(prob.so,huh?)Also could I put tape over the back where my open spots are or would he get stuck to the tape if he tried to jump?I think 3 fish would be my max unless I get 4 small fish(2"-2.5"max)but 3 is prob.it.I'm also thinking about trading the damsel even thought he's cool and the clownfish and getting a mandarian(I have great growth's of pods)keep the firefish if he fairs and get a pair of skunk clowns(if they don't get too big)and start actually working on the rest of my corals,etc...Alex

 

[fishtails]

Also how good would a bi-color bleeny or scotter blenny do if I took the firefish back with the clown and damsel(both about 2"inches)and the bleeny's are (1"or less-bi-color,scooter 1"-1.5")I would love a mandarian but they cost 40bucks!

 

[striker]

All this time I thought that your firefish was dead. As long as he's alive theres a good chance he'll be ok. As far as the mandarin goes I would not recommend it to you. In my 29gallon I have over 60lbs of lr and he is tearing up my pod population. Luckily I got him used to frozen brine but he is slow as heck to eat. As cool as he is I think it would have been easier to have gotten a yellow jawfish or sixline wrasse. If I were you I'd stick with the fish you own and work with them. I was going to trade in my damsel and sebae clownfish but decided to keep them. I'm glad that I did. I've grown attached to them and they look great. Everytime you go for a trade or acclimate a new fish there's always a chance for death and possibly ich contanimation.

 

[fishtails]

Well Striker he's ok now that i've dug him a hole under the lr and the clown seems confused so it must have worked,but my concern was because the firefish didn't do anything when the clown grabbed him on his gill and swam trying to "kill"him.Maybe he will fare then,but he dosen't move much but in hole.Also are they supposed to swim or just sit on their "legs"?He is very shy and I've named him Fire.i thought for a while he was dead too because he was on his side not moving but I guess he was tired and all.What all do you feed you firefish?I'll feed him flake food,frozen bshrimp,bloodworms as a treat,also do they eat boiled egg yolk>I've heard yes and no but what would you recommend?
P.S-If the "attacks"continue what should I do?Alex

 

[njdiver]

Give him a chance to adjust. How big is your tomato clown??? In my tank I have a tomato clown, a firefish, and a scooter. The clown was the last in, but does at times get a little aggressive, usually at night trying to secure a home for himself. I have seen him push the scooter a number of times, but it never looks like he is biting, nor does the scooter seem all that phased.
On the other hand the firefish will chase back from time to time if the clown gets to close. For the most part though they show very little aggression to each other. (in my tank)
One thing I did read was that you can take the aggressive fish and place him in a plastic strainer in the corner of the tank for awhile to give the new fish a chance to settle in without being attacked. Might be worth a try.
-Scott

 

[fishtails]

Thanks for the info.but this morning I found the firefish dead.I guess he came out while the lights were out and the clown killed him.I don't know why the clown would act this way to it.I also found a puncture on the side of its body where the clownfish grabbed it.Well at least he's in Fish Heaven now.I also have decided the clown must go because I will be taking the firefish back and getting a Perc.clown or two.I guess it was a territorial issue.And the firefish didn't fight back and it looked healthy.Alex <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

 

[heavenly damsel]

I have a 4" tomato clown that I affectionalely call my tank terrorist. He is in with 3 yellow tangs that can hold their own against him. He does, however, move my corals arround from time to time. He scattered my sea mat polyps all over the tank. I came in from work one evening to find him tossing them up into the current from the powerheads and watching them float back down. He has a great deal of personality, but is mean as a snake. On friday he moved my montipora capricornus frag and I have not found it yet....still looking. Good luck

 

[sinner's girl]

you could always bag him for awhile, that worked with our perc. who killed the fish in the before her and after (tang, damsel, goby, scotter blenny ...), when we added another perc she tried to kill it, we put her in a bag, move lr around, turned off lights and covered the tank.
when it seemed the killer clown had chilled (meaning she didn't try to attack the new fish when the new one would swim by)we let her loose, but kept the tank dark and covered for a few hours.
it's been six months, she hasn't killed the other clown, may chase it once in a while though.

 

[toddpolish]

just did a search. happens that tonight I'm adding a firefish to a 90g with a tomato clown in it. ahhhhhh....see what happens.
I believe there's enough space for both to be happy.

 

[wrassecal]

I think your problem with your tomato clown is your tank size. 25 gal is just too small. It probably thinks the whole tank is it's territory. My tomato who lives in a bta on one side of the tank will swim 3 or 4 feet across the tank just to harrass the false percs if it even thinks they are swimming to her side of the tank. And I have a 6 ft 135 gal tank. And it will bite our hand if we are working in the tank too close to her hand. I love it though!

 

[buzz]

Maybe mine's the exception to the rule, but my Tomato is about 3"-3.5" right now, and is as gentle as a baby. It never bothers anything...it will charge a little if something gets too close to it's anemone, but it never does anything to any fish in there. It has never attacked anything.
It's in a 60g, along with 3 green chromis, 1 leopard wrasse, a lawnmower blenny, and a cleaner shrimp (along with 2 BTA's).

 

[killafins]

Mine was fine with everything in the tank... no problems.... He went after a lmb the first time when i switched tanks but that was it.

 

[fshhub]

tomatoes have gotten to be one of the most territorial and aggressive fish we can get.
IF you are going to mix them with extremely pasive fish like ff then they should be added last. or only to be followed by aggresssive fish.

 

[killafins]

bruce, does it take a while for the tomato to become as aggressive as you guys make out? Once again, I only WITNESSED him goign after the lmb once. Maybe i should keep a better eye on him but is there usually amount of time or size when they show there aggressiveness or am i just lucky?