advise on clownfish

[lawchan77]

i have had this pair of clownfish for about 3 months.

the problem is that they do not swim to the rocks and explore the rest of the tank but keep to the surface area all the time.

is there a reason?

will they swim downwards in time?

[vinccc2009]

Nice pair...you must have paid quite handsomely!

Give them a few days to accustom to your tank.

Are there any others fishes in your tank? Maybe they were bullied?

I saw the bottom one like not swimming properly...maybe only...may not be alarmed.

[Zee123]

i have had this pair of clownfish for about 3 months.

the problem is that they do not swim to the rocks and explore the rest of the tank but keep to the surface area all the time.

is there a reason?

will they swim downwards in time?

3 months its been like that? how bout sharing with us other infos (tankmates, size of tank, environment,etc) so that the bros here can give some inputs =)

[FD2R]

Wave too strong? lol. They look like they been pushed real hard by the wave tho.

[yeo99]

Wave too strong? lol. They look like they been pushed real hard by the wave tho.

It looks like the wave is too strong,

plus 1 for SK-II.

[lawchan77]

Nice pair...you must have paid quite handsomely!

Give them a few days to accustom to your tank.

Are there any others fishes in your tank? Maybe they were bullied?

I saw the bottom one like not swimming properly...maybe only...may not be alarmed.

thanks vinccc2009.. they are beautiful fishes except for their weird fetish for water surface.

they have been bobbing for quite a while. they are other tank mates but none disturb them leh.

how to see if the fish is swimming properly or not?

3 months its been like that? how bout sharing with us other infos (tankmates, size of tank, environment,etc) so that the bros here can give some inputs =)

tank size is 5 X 2.5 X 1.8 feet

tank mates include:

archilles tang : about 4 inch

chevron tang : about 3.5inch

2 x black tangs: about 6 inch and 3 inch

2 x mandarin fish

2 x hielfrich goby

1 x orchid dotty back

1 x cleaner wrass

1 x cleaner shrimp

none of them disturb the clown fishes leh..

i purchased the clown fishes separately but within 2 weeks of each other. due to their small size, i kept them in the betta area (still part of the main tank) for 2 months.

but still they usually stay in the surface of water. sometimes they will go down for a while and come up again. they sleep on the surface water every night.

on 6th feb 12, i released them into the main tank but they kept staying at the betta area so i chased them out to the other side. and there they stayed. sigh...

i tried to use encourage them to go deeper towards the rocks like feeding etc but they rather let the mysis and pellet drop than chase them to the bottom.

everynight they will sleep at the corner of the tank at water surface.

Wave too strong? lol. They look like they been pushed real hard by the wave tho.

yes, that is where the return pump is. but they can move.. i tried to chase them downwards towards the rocks but within seconds they are at the surface again.

even when feeding time when i lower the wave maker and off the main tank, they also dont want to chase the pellet when they drop to the floor. they still prefer the upper part area.

are juvenile clownfishes behaviour like that? these are around 1inch big.

[Ah-lim]

If they feeding/eating, shld be okay.

[iskay]

They had not found a more comfy location so is staying put to that corner which they are comfy with. If they feed well and are not getting skinny, it's best to leave them alone. If your objective is to draw them to a more prominent location, your best bet is to provide them with a host. BUT do note that there is no 100% guarantee that they will become guests to the host. Also, that if your choice host is an anemone, it needs to be of a compatible species to your clowns and also that anemones do move.

[vinccc2009]

Actually most of my clowns are top swimmer.

They seldom stay at the bottom of the tank unless they find an anemone host.

Just leave them alone so long they are eating.

The more you disturb them, the more stress they are and will cause bad result. 8-(

[lawchan77]

thank you very much for your comments.. actually i provided a host RBTA but they ignored it in their first 2 months of betta tank.

they are eating very well.. will leave them alone then..

[zoa farmer]

Its not because of strong wave in this case.

From my past experience, its usually because of stress. Other possible reason would be a lack of hiding places, water parameters and bullying.

[zoa farmer]

But if they are eating well, you don't need to be so worried.

Cool livestocks...two helfrichi....

[lawchan77]

thanks bro

even in quarantine tank they swim on top. can it be stressed?

sure hope its a growing up phase

[bryanong]

Just leave them alone and they will swim around after a while.

[iskay]

thank you very much for your comments.. actually i provided a host RBTA but they ignored it in their first 2 months of betta tank.

they are eating very well.. will leave them alone then..

RBTA is not their natura host although it's possible. That's why I said the anemone needs to be of compatible species. Do profuse research before buying any livestock. If eating well just let them be. Cheers.

[lawchan77]

some update... the clownfishes started to explore the bottom half of tank. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

over the past couple of weeks, they started to spend more and more time at the bottom half. the other fishes do not bother them at all.

[spkentchai]

some update... the clownfishes started to explore the bottom half of tank. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

over the past couple of weeks, they started to spend more and more time at the bottom half. the other fishes do not bother them at all.

Nice....

[vinccc2009]

Well done. But they still look a bit scared.

Give them some more time.

You have a nice n fat AT.

[Terryz_]

It is becos of the tank mates.. They are too large and intimidating for them to swim among them esp when they are so small... Give them sometime to get used or getting a anemone will be good for them...

[yoolei]

They are still probably getting accustomed to the new environent. usually that is the explanatin when a fish does not want to explore mush and stay on one side of the tank. I say that you shgould just let it be and give it more time, as ong as they are eating well you should not have a problem on this. if you notice though that they dont eat as well then maybe there i some health problems at that.