captive bred clownfish behaviours

Merry Goround · March 15, 2015

Hi all,

I recently purchased a pair of captive bred clownfish. First time purchasing captive bred. Their behaviour is very weird, but I believe since they are captive bred so they have not seen the world yet. How do I change their behaviours? or is it forever like this.

1) Have no FEAR, they don't really hide in rocks or caves. just swim openly all the time even brushing with my bigger angel and trigger like they are buddies. Not once in 24hours have I seen them even go near any rocks/caves.

2) Have no FEAR, they are not afraid of nets, they don't dart away super fast like other fishes.

3) Have no FEAR, when all lights are off at night they just sleep in the open.

Is this 1 of the reason why "they say" captive bred fishes are better? cause they have no FEAR hence least likely to be stressed and fall sick.. lol.

Is getting them to host a cave/shelter possible in time? will they automatically do it maybe after a few days or weeks? anyone have experience it before?

Shadow Walker · March 15, 2015

I think other than no fear, captive bred clownfish also dunno how to host anemones

CFOh · March 15, 2015

Hi all,

I recently purchased a pair of captive bred clownfish. First time purchasing captive bred. Their behaviour is very weird, but I believe since they are captive bred so they have not seen the world yet. How do I change their behaviours? or is it forever like this.

1) Have no FEAR, they don't really hide in rocks or caves. just swim openly all the time even brushing with my bigger angel and trigger like they are buddies. Not once in 24hours have I seen them even go near any rocks/caves.

2) Have no FEAR, they are not afraid of nets, they don't dart away super fast like other fishes.

3) Have no FEAR, when all lights are off at night they just sleep in the open.

Is this 1 of the reason why "they say" captive bred fishes are better? cause they have no FEAR hence least likely to be stressed and fall sick.. lol.

Is getting them to host a cave/shelter possible in time? will they automatically do it maybe after a few days or weeks? anyone have experience it before?

Mine all sleep and host in clay vase. Shld be able to,, Cheers and Happy Reefing..

Merry Goround · March 16, 2015

Oh nice. Maybe i should put them in a smaller tank with some rocks first before putting them in the dt

Snoopyhamburger · March 16, 2015

Why wud u want them to hide?

Merry Goround · March 16, 2015

Not say hide but maybe too used to seeing fish act normal. Suddenly one weird thing, dont feel right feeling.

christan1959 · March 17, 2015

In time, they shld host anemone or coral. It's an instinct that all clowns have - captive bred or wild.

SeahSengYong · March 18, 2015

True. Tank bred clownfish can train to host anemone or even corals. They school together when they are little. They get slightly more aggressive when they pair up.

Merry Goround · March 18, 2015

thanks for replies, how do you train them btw.

also my current pair when sleep. they sleep sideways at the top of the tank at the surface of the water(like dead fish).. is it weird or is it a problem? seems to keep jumping sometimes knocking the internal rim of the tank. only when sleeping, day time is normal all ok.

ahchris · March 19, 2015

thanks for replies, how do you train them btw.

also my current pair when sleep. they sleep sideways at the top of the tank at the surface of the water(like dead fish).. is it weird or is it a problem? seems to keep jumping sometimes knocking the internal rim of the tank. only when sleeping, day time is normal all ok.

Hey Jun005, check out this video on how to let clown fish host anemone.