Fighting Clowns.....

[titus]

I have a problem with which I need help!

WE originally had 3 clown loaches but sadly 2 of them died after a year - leaving one. Now this one has been on its own for about 6 months and looked quite ok with it. We were told that loaches, although sociable, can manage on their own.

Now recently we were told that clowns really do enjoy the company of others, and can even be depressed if on their own! So late this afternoon, we got 2 more - both about the same size.

They got on for about 2 mins. Since then the old one has been fighting the new ones - chasing them about and even trying to bite them. (There are no external marks that I can see at this time). Obviously though there must be quite some stress.

So far I have added food with no benefit.

Are they going to get over this once territories are established? Or is it hopeless, and the best thing is for them to be separated tonight (via a large 6litre floating bag in the tank - I do not have a proper quarantine facility ) and returned to the shop tomorrow.

PS my tank is 180litres with lots of silk plants and a rock arch and 2 caves.

Thanks

Titus

 

[donna123]

hi,
how big are the clowns?
do they make the click noise when they have a go at each other?
mine did this when i added new clowns, they were fine in the end, when they knew where they stood with each other, maybe turn lights off for a while, clowns do like company usually.

 

[n3ont3tra]

If just one chases teh other two, maybe the best thing to do would be to bring the aggressive one to the store. That way you would'nt have one lonely one again and instead would have two happy ones.

 

[alexdallimore]

i think i read somewhere once that they do sort out a hiarache in the tank but the fighting should settle down. I think it said that they can be seen sometimes in a "kissing" position and that this was just working out who was who in the I am the hardest fish stakes

 

[titus]

all settled down now after a few days....thanks for the advice as I would probably have given up and returned them unnecessarily!