How To Reduce Clownfish Aggression?

Clownfish can have aggressive tendencies that can be difficult to manage for clownfish owners. In this article, I have done some digging to find ways to reduce clownfish aggression.

You can reduce clownfish aggression by creating a larger tank with plenty of hiding spaces, adding more clownfish to the tank, keeping your fish well-fed, and maintaining the water quality.

The reasons and solutions for Clownfish Aggression are primarily related to Clownfish Care. Therefore, I have discussed all the factors elaborately and added reasons for Clownfish aggression. 

10 Ways To Reduce Clownfish Aggression

Provide Plenty Of Hiding Spots

One of the most effective ways to reduce clownfish aggression is to create a tank with plenty of hiding spots. Clownfish are territorial and can become aggressive if they don’t have enough space. Adding additional hiding spots and decorations will give some visual bears to each other. It also gives them places to explore and hide if they feel threatened.

Increase Aquarium Size

Increasing the size of your aquarium is another way to reduce the aggression of clownfish. A larger tank provides more swimming space and more scope to add decorations, rocks, corals, and sea anemones.

The most common species of clownfish, the Ocellaris clownfish, can reach up to 4 inches in length when fully grown, so they require an aquarium of at least 10 gallons (Recommended 20 gallons). Other species of clownfish, such as the Maroon Clownfish, can grow up to 8 inches in length, so they require tanks of at least 30 gallons. 

So, choose a tank size appropriate for your species and the number of fish you plan to keep. By doing so, you’ll keep the aggression level of clownfish minimum.

When it comes to tank size for reducing clownfish aggression, larger is definitely better. 

Choose The Right Tankmates For Clownfish

Choosing suitable tankmates for Clownfish can be a daunting task. Clownfish are territorial and aggressive, so it’s vital to choose compatible tank mates that won’t be intimidated by their presence. No large or aggressive fish nor too small or intimidating fish is suitable for clownfish. You need to select small, peaceful fish as a tank mate for your clownfish.

Here are some suitable clownfish tank mates:

Feed The Right Food At The Right Time And the Right Amount

Hunger can make clownfish more aggressive. Clownfish are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders whose diets include a high proportion of feed of vegetable origin (algae), plankton, larvae, and crustaceans. In the wild, it is all about survival of the fittest. If it senses that there is not enough food in the tank, it becomes gradually aggressive.

So, It is best to provide them with a variety of foods regularly. It is recommended to feed them twice a day. It is also essential to ensure that the food is fed in small amounts and scattered equally in all parts of the tank.

Keeping Ideal Water Parameters

Keeping the water clean and low Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels will help reduce stress in your Clownfish. As a result, your fish will be less aggressive. Regular water changes and filter maintenance will also help keep your fish healthy.

Ideal Water Parameter For Clownfish:

Keep Same Species Clownfish In Pairs

Keeping clownfish in pairs can help reduce aggression. Clownfish are social fish and form groups in the wild, so adding more fish to the tank can help them feel less threatened and less likely to act aggressively. However, ensuring you don’t overcrowd the tank is essential, as this can cause stress and further aggression. Before pairing or adding more fish, ensure your tank is big enough and has enough hiding place to break the line of sight.

Get A Captive-Bred Clownfish From A Reputable Breeder

Captive-bred clownfish have been bred in captivity instead of being taken directly from the wild. These fish are raised in a controlled environment, making them well-suited to aquarium life. However, Wild-caught clownfish tend to be hardier, as they have had to survive in the wild. They are used to dealing with various hostile conditions; as a result, they are more aggressive and territorial. To be safe, buy a captive-bred clownfish from a reputable breeder.

Add Most Aggressive Fish To The Last

If you’re planning to add a pair of clowns into an already established tank or a new tank, you may want to add them last because they will be the most aggressive ones.

Since they will be a pair in the tank, you don’t want them to be in the tank first, where they can establish their territory and defend it. You want them to be unfamiliar with the territory. Put them last; they will be less aggressive since they’re the new ones on the block.

Separate The Aggressive Clown

Keep the aggressive Clown in a hospital tank for a few days to unfamiliarized it. Once you put it back, it won’t be as aggressive as it would have been while defending its territory, as this is all new territory for it. It will be less aggressive.

You can also put victims of clownfish aggression into the breeder box, where they can see each other but can’t physically harm each other.

Just Wait Out The Aggression Or Trade It

You can wait out the aggression or trade it as a last option. Because sometimes, the male accepts and does a little dance, and they pair up. But sometimes, it doesn’t happen. So, if you see the aggression going too far, trade your aggressive Clown.

Why Are Your Clownfish Aggressive?

Wild Clownfish Are More Aggressive

If your Clownfish is extremely hostile, there is a high probability that your Clownfish is wild. Wild clownfish grow up in the coral reef. It is a fiercely hostile place. These fish will stake out a small area of the reef and aggressively defend it from other fish. This territorial behavior is usually seen when the breeding pair tries to protect their eggs or when other Clownfish compete for resources. In the aquarium, Wild Clownfish sometimes display similar territorial behavior, especially if they feel threatened by other fish or sense that their food or territory is being threatened. 

Clownfish Protecting Anemones

Anemone and clownfish have a unique and fascinating relationship. It is called symbiosis. Both species help each other to live. An anemone protects clownfish from predators with its poisonous tentacles. On the other hand, Clownfish lure other fish to the anemone to help them get fish to eat. They also clean them by eating sea anemone’s dead tentacles and leftover food, such as pieces of fish. If you have anemones in your tank and your clownfish is showing aggression, it is actually protecting its home.

The Wrong Tank Mates Amplify Clownfish’s Aggression

Wrong Tank mates only amplify clownfish’s aggression. To help ensure your clownfish remain happy and healthy, it’s crucial to avoid tank mates that are overly aggressive, overly territorial, or too large. Some of the most common wrong tank mates for clownfish include:

Wrong Tank Setup And Water Parameter

An ill-maintained tank with messy parameters ensures an aggressive fish. On the contrary, a well-maintained tank with ideal water parameters means less stressed and less aggressive fish.

Clownfish can become aggressive and territorial if the tank setup and water parameters are incorrect. Maintaining water parameters is essential for the health and well-being of the clownfish, and any fluctuations can lead to stress and aggression.

In addition, an overstocked tank and lack of a hiding place can cause unnecessary stress to clownfish and lead to aggression.

A Lack Of Proper Food

If clownfish are not fed regularly, they can become agitated and frustrated. It can lead to fin-nipping and aggression. It is crucial to feed Clownfish twice daily, but only as much as they can eat in a few minutes. 

Lack of food makes a clownfish competitive, territorial, and aggressive. It turns on their survival instinct: charging, chasing, and biting other fishes.

Pairing Different Species Of Clownfish

There are like 30 other identified species of clownfish in the aquarium hobby. Some species, like maroon clowns, are so aggressive that they even attack each other. This is because they are territorial and will compete for the same resources, such as food, space, and places to hide. It is important not to mix different species of clownfish in the same aquarium. Doing so can lead to aggression.

Changing Sex 

As I have experienced, if you’re buying juveniles as a pair, they will eventually change sex, and then the female will be the more dominant clownfish. If the male doesn’t grow big, he will certainly be a victim of the aggressive Clown. 

Final Thoughts

I have mentioned everything related to the aggression of clownfish. If you are a clownfish keeper, you can apply the mentioned tricks to reduce the aggressive behavior of your clownfish. Just remember, with time, it’s possible to calm them down.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Related Reading: How To Tell If A Clownfish Is Pregnant?