Attack of the killer clownfish!

Christina237

Christina237

New member
Hey guys! I have a clumsy crab who bombed over a bunch of my corals and tore them free from the rock, knocked over, etc. I was TRYING to put my hand in there to deal with all of it but my clownfish kept darting at my hand and nipping me. I was trying to kind of wave him away and he kept doing it more and more. His top fin was up and spikey so I am leaning toward the idea he was scared and protecting his little tank. He's a super social and playful fish but this seemed really out of character. Thoughts?
 
Seriously? Is this a trait of clownfish? He's never done it to me before...the point at which I gave up was when he was waiting at the surface for me. Sort of funny if he was playing but I was worried I was scaring the bejesus out of him.
 
Oh, I'm sure he's not happy your hand is invading his territory. But the aggressive nipping part is totally normal. Just be glad he's still small and not a cinnamon clown, those have the worst bite in my experience.
 
I agree mine after getting comfortable in the new home nip at me all the time usually the female and when she swims away the male gets me lol
 
my female would bomb my hand, only on the middle knuckle, same spot every time, waving at them makes it worse. very territorial.
 
Good to know! Thanks guys! I guess I will just have to get a game plan before I go in...quick in and quick out (thats what she said)
 
I have a definite biter as well. I try to move really slow and deliberately with my hand stiff. I swear she knows how to get me right in the webbing. No matter how tough you are, getting nipped while deeply concentrating on something like trying to remove a strand of Caluerpa from in between two zoas will make you jump! (well it does me anyway).
 
Hmmm interesting considering I have never had neither or my maroons ever nip at me....they are always scared when I put my hand in and swim away lol
 
My clown in my 8 gallon nuvo does the same.. Especially when i go near the anemones.... But in my 14 gallon biocube my clown doesnt nip at all.. Wierd lol
 
My clowns do not "bite" They more or less give kisses... haha

They are super playful and always try to get my attention when I walk by the tank.

I put my hand in the tank and they come over and nip very softly at my arm.

I think they are just happy I saved them from PetCo... lol
 
Today I went into my tank for attempt #2 to clean up the destruction from the crab and he was MUCH better...swimming by me but didn't attempt to nip. I must have really been messing around too much in there the other day and seriously freaked him out.
 
I have a full 5" tomato clown that is built like a bull dog with a super thick body that will bite/ pull as hard as she can at my arm hair. It's actually quite funny because she is trying to pull my arm hair out. At first I was scared, but then I got used to it and now I laugh at it.
 
OMG thats crazy! Reminds me of those pedicures they do in asia where you put your feet into these tubs with little fish that eat all the dead skin off:bad:
 
I had a pair that were absolute lovers. When I put my hand in the tank they would come up to me and beg for food. The female bumped(not nip) my hand so I would feed her. They would eat right out of the dropper I fed the tank with. They were my faves until one day they decided to go carpet surfing. Now I know the importance of putting a net over a tank but yet don't do it at times! :nono:
 
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