Attacked By Clowns

[BigC]

Well my to common clownfish have settled in really well, so much so that when I now go to do a little bit of weekly in-tank maintenance they attack my hand. Now thats fine, they're only 50mm in size. What about when they get full grown and a little more grumpy, will I have to were gloves.
In 2007 I had the good fortune to visit GBR and a little Island to the south, there I did a spot of snorkling and was attacked full on by a species of Damsel, it was protecting its territory and give me such a nip, so much so it drew blood. Nasty little buggers. Is or are my clownfish going to get all territoral on me, they seem fearless. This has just happened this week, other weeks they have been perfectly placid.
Anyone else been attacked.
Regards
BigC

 

[Colin_T]

you big pussy, they are only lil fish

they are probably breeding or at least looking at doing some in the near future. Amphiprion ocellaris won't draw blood and are only trying to shoe you away from their home. They also don't get very big so don't worry too much about it.

 

[BigC]

you big pussy, they are only lil fish

They also don't get very big so don't worry too much about it.

Its not the size or nip as such, I was just suprised at the tenacity and stamina they had.

Thy wouldn't be ready to start breeding yet would they. Hope not as I'm doing a bit of rearranging shortly. (adding and plumbing a Fuge)
Anyway cheers Col for that.
Regards
BigC

 

[Colin_T]

if the clownfish are more than 6 months old and are fed 2 or more times per day they will quickly come into breeding condition. Watch them and see if they are cleaning a rock or chasing other fish away from their area. If so you might have eggs in the next few weeks.

There is a tiny tomatoe clown at my LFS and it attacks everyone who goes into the tank for corals or cleaning purposes. The nasty little critter is only a bit over an inch long but she constantly goes your hand and she does it so quickly you don't expect it.

 

[Musho3210]

you big pussy, they are only lil fish

they are probably breeding or at least looking at doing some in the near future. Amphiprion ocellaris won't draw blood and are only trying to shoe you away from their home. They also don't get very big so don't worry too much about it.

Oh youd be surprised how hard fully grown ocellaris can bite and how deep they bite (deep enough to draw blood).

 

[johnnyjtaylor]

They can certainly bite hard,I know mine do Infact my female leaves the water to get to me. Doesn't matter if they're thinking about breeding or not, thry're just vicious(well protective of their territory, i.e the entire tank)

 

[connorsbala]

If i go anywhere near their anemone they go for me! The females got quite a hard bite actually
When i open the lid, they come up to the surface expecting food, nearly jumping out the tank at times!

 

[jflowers]

They can certainly bite hard,I know mine do

I get my mrs to hold them off with a net while i vac the sand lol. They really do pack a powerful bite for their size

Jon

 

[@ombomb]

i fill a cup with water from the tank to mix the froxen food with and have dropped tha cup in many times when i've been suprised by a sudden nip from the clown, nothing serious, just surpising.

 

[connorsbala]

My female got my good last night whilst doing a water change! Bit my hand hard, in shock i quickly took my hand out the tank, hit the light bulb and the top of the tank; so ive got a burn and a nice graze form the glass
Moody lil thing! Well she aint that lil, biggest perc ive seen!

 

[SkiFletch]

Hehe, welcome to the reef battle scar club . I've burned my forearm 3 times on my halide. Last time I might have even got it to 2nd degree . There's a little patch of melted flesh on the bulb that I can't seem to scrub off