Scrapping Clowns

[Lemur]

This morning I caught two of my new clown loaches seemingly having a fight. They were swimming along-side each other and apparently jabbing each other with the spikes under their eyes. They were purchased from the same batch at the LFS, so is this likely to be a one-off incident or could they likely keep up the fighting and need seperated?

[~Col~]

Wow, what a coincidence, I was about to come in and ask the same question. I've notice one of my clowns doing this to the other until the point where the victim is lying on its side. Although my clowns have been tank mates for quite some time now.

I thought it was sick and tried to catch it but it took off and swam with no problems and I had no chance! It's got a few white spots on its sides but I think they are wounds and not ich or anything.

I hope someone can tell us if this is normal behaviour.

[gm72]

This behavior isn't too uncommon as they do like to establish a pecking order in the school. However it can also be a sign that they are stressed, so we need to figure out which is the case. We need tank sizes, filtration, and water changing schedules from both of you please. I see stocking in Col's signature but not in Lemur's, so we need to know that as well. Also how large are the clowns and how old are they?

[~Col~]

My tank is approx 205ltr (4ft approx 55gal). Water test last weekend was Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate <20, ph 7.2. Water temp is 27 deg Cel (is that 80 deg F?). I do approx 30% water changes each week. I have a Fluval 204 currently running with two airstones to help circulation.

I'm still waiting on parts for my larger Eheim Pro 2224 filter, although for now the water seems to be holding up okay.

I added some new "fake" plants yesterday which stirred things up a bit. I'm guessing that it would have stressed them a bit. So I'm thinking this could be the cause. I didn't even think about that when I noticed it. DOH!!

Oddly enough my two clowns school with 4 tiger barbs, 4 serpae tetras & a white tetra. This is the first time I've noticed any aggression. I like to sit and watch the tank any chance I get. (blush)

[gm72]

Col, how large are the clowns? They will need a far larger tank than that 55.

[~Col~]

At the moment they are only about 1.5 inches in size. I will be getting a larger tank in the future.

Unfortunately, I didn't do my research before I purchased them and the LFS at the time told me that they were fine for my tank and set up. Grrrr!! I realise they can grow over 30cm (12")...now. I wish I'd found your site here prior to buying! Hence I'm never listening to my LFS ever again!

[Crispy]

They are 'fighting' for dominance. A pecking order like gm72 said. Perfectly normal for clowns.

[Scrup]

If it becomes a problem, increasing the numbers can alleviate the stress from the fighting, as they wont be able to single out one individual.

[Lady Hobbs]

I saw mine do that a few times but I dropped some food in the tank and they got more interested in that than fighting.

[~Col~]

Sorry for hijacking your thread Lemur!!

Thanks for your answers everyone. They seem to be buddies again this morning, foraging together. The one has a few battle scars, but hopefully they'll heal.

[Lemur]

No problem, I'm glad this post got as much attention and input as it did. My loaches are happy again too. I guess they were just fighting for the pecking order, but now they are all swimming together as a group. Thanks guys