New Clown

[Susie Q360]

Ok I have a few questions and need some advice. I got everything under control and even set up a isolation tank. I got a new clown for my son before he had dental surgery. Our present clown is 1.5 in long and 1 in tall. We‘ve had it for about 3 weeks. From what I’ve read the larger clown would be the d. female. And that a clown this size is all ready sexed. So I special ordered the smallest clown that the lfs could get so I shouldn’t have a problem with putting them together. It came in while I was in Lexington for his surgery. Well my husband did everything to get it into the tank (an air stone, 2 hour drip acclimating regulated with a valve, and then floated for 30 min), .
Well our bigger clown and the smaller clown started swimming around together. The bigger clown then proceeded to back it’s tail fin up to the little one. After a while the clowns started just swimming around.
Now the trouble started the big clown stated grabbing the smaller clown’s fins. Before he could get it out of the tank, the bigger clown killed the little one. So now we have a 4 yr old in pain and begging for another “nemo”.
What did we do wrong? Any suggestions will be welcomed.

 

[Corleone]

While I don't keep marine fish myself, my understanding of clown fish is that they're quite territorial and aggressive towards members of their own or similar species. Chances are the new fish was seen as an intruder.

 

[Susie Q360]

I'm not tring to breed them I just want my son to be happy. Their Percula clowns, which I was told are very calm and easy to atart with. I'm planning to go to the pet store today when I take my pom to the vet and get another clown. Hopefully I can get another one if not I'll order one. I've got a breedery from when I had my fresh water fish. I plan to put the new clown in it but it has no lid. Would it be ok to use plastic wrap or press & seal to seal the top so that it doesn't jump out of the breedery?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

you'd be betetr asking this in the marine section of the forum

but yes clwons are aggressive and territorial, if they've been left alone in the tank for a while they are highly unlikley to accept another clown as a tankmate.