angry clown!

[tentacles]

I have a pair of b+w clowns in my 24g, and lately whenever I put my hand in the tank (to spot feed my acans/LPS or to pick up a frag that fell), the female attacks my hand as the whole point of her little piscine existence is to rip my hand a new one.:irked: (And it hurts like a mother!)

I've tried throwing some food near the pair if I have to go in, but that doesn't really pacify her for more than a few seconds. When I try to net her I usually knock other frags over since the tanks isn't that big. She doesn't go for the forceps when they're in the tank (...goes for my hand at the top instead.) Annnddd she nips even more if I have gloves on. The pair isn't hosting anything.

Is there anything I can do to curb her bloodlust? I've dealt with aggressive clowns before, but they were in a much larger tank and responded well to 'shooo-ing.'

 

[Chraddam]

Try reaching into the tank more often, like whenever you pass by(with clean hands, of course). She could be A) just trying to eat or B)trying to defend her turf(and her lil man). Worked for me they are 2 sweet clowns now! And use a turkey baster to feed acans, not your hands!!!

 

[tentacles]

I do use a turkey baster! The acans are just on the sandbed so my hand gets in the tank a little bit, and she goes right for it. Girl needs to learn some manners.

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

Mating pair? Jeff had it correct also, protecting territory. Possibly a clutch of eggs nearby. My B/W Oc's did the same aswell. I've tamed that by having them feed from my finger tips now. Will take a couple of weeks for them to get used to your fingers feding them but it will work. The more you shoo the nastier they get! Kind of funny sometimes. No quick movements and you'll be fine. They just need to get used to your hand being in the tank.

 

[Omar]

hey! I had a clown for about 8 months...it would not let up...the tank was its territory...everytime my fingers came just above the surface, the fish was poised and ready...I had to let it go last month...its been so peaceful now...can spot feed my corals and do work without getting attacked...If you want to keep it...you may wanna get some aqua gloves or use a clear fish trap once a week when you feed...

 

[bizarrecorals]

+1 turkey baster, +aqua gloves, new rubbermaid kitchen gloves will do also, clowns dont have to be a mated pair to be terriotorial

 

[noobzy]

I have the same problem lately... thanks for the info; I'll try the suggestion to start feeding with my hands and let you know how it goes. Sounds like fun anyway!

 

[seldin]

Time to get rid of clown. They learn to bite in an exact same area, so it actually gets worse after a while. They are very territorial and also will sometimes get aggressive in tank.

If it were a larger tank, you learn to leave that area to her (LOL), however, in a smaller tank, no happy medium.

In addition, showing aggression towards you, they can be aggressive towards others in the tank. Mine, would not let me do tank maintenance, etc., so I am much happier with her gone.

Now, in my larger tank, I have a Maroon clown, known to be very aggressive. However, in this tank, she leaves everyone alone, except if I go in her area. So we both have an understanding. I am in and out of her area in a quick time, and she leaves me alone ( most of the time ).

 

[Chraddam]

Tents, I will post video later of my clowns eating from my fingertips. They will learn to love you, ya just gotta work with 'em!