change in activity after treatment

[fishy1]

Hello!
I have an ocelaris clownfish who survived a worm attack after being treated with copper in my ICU tank. I have had him back in the previously infested tank for about 3 weeks (the tank is a 42 gallon that sat without any fish in it for almost a month).
My concern is his lack of activity since being returned to his home tank. He swims around during the day when sunlight hits the tank, but when the sun goes down (even though the tank is well lit) he goes way up in the very top corner and doesn’t leave this spot unless I feed him or another fish comes up to say hello. Even then he stays within three inches or so of the corner. He used to be constantly active and happy. He was alone in the tank for about 10 days when I noticed this behavior, so I went and bought him two small, gentle buddies to entice him down. He plays with them during the day and gets visits from them at night. He changes position in the corner, but is really at the top, bending at times so he’s against two glass panes and the top of the water.
Is he okay??? :notsure:
He was very small when the tank got the worms and was the sole survivor. He’s still less than an inch. He does not have any discoloration, his appetite is very good, he acts normal during the day, there are no signs of disease on him, he seems to be breathing normally, does not seem to be gulping air and is not scratching.
I just bought him an anemone, but it seems they have not met yet or the anemone will not host. The two fish I bought are a batfish that is only an inch, and a little yellow boxfish who is half an inch. I have a coral banded and two cleaning shrimp in there, crabs, snails, sand sifters, the anemone and a sea urchin.
Please help! He is too little and cute to be unhappy!
Thanks so much!
Fishy1
:joy:

 

[dskidmore]

Clownfish typically will pick a corner of the tank to call home. I would say s/he's settling in. Maybe when s/he grows a bit bigger you can pick a smaller clown to be her pal.

 

[fishy1]

Thanks SOOOooooooooo much!!

I posted this in the clownfish section quite a while ago and have not received a response, so thank you! I have been very worried. I will get him a pal as suggested in a while.
Thanks again!
Fishy1
:jumping:

 

[squidd]

A one inch Bat fish...? and a 1/2 inch Boxfish....??
Those are some teeny tiny fish....
Have you gotten to see them eat yet...?
I saw a 1/2" Cowfish at the LFS not long ago...I'd be afraid to put him in my tank...Might lose him...

 

[mbrands]

I have a similar question (sort of) . . .
My tank cycled and I added a few cleaners and a pair of Perculas (both about 1-2"). They seem to only want to swim in a small area in the middle of my tank. I've got a 55 with plenty of LR to check out, but the area they swim in is probably only about a 6" cube. I'm thinking that it is either because they are still so new to the tank or I have too much water movement. I've got a powerhead and the output from my cansiter filter.
Can anyone ease my mind? I'd like my first 2 to be happy.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[squidd]

How long have they been in there...might just need some time to get "comfortable" in their new surroundings...
On the other hand I have a pair of Percs for over a year now, and they are pretty happy to just stay in one corner/side of the tank "most" of the time...
They're not real keen on swimming the legnth of the tank day after day... but have "mozied around" from time to time...Mostly just hanging in their "hood"...

 

[thedude]

you might want to ry adding an anenome under neath them to see if it hosts, and then move the anenome little by little towards a more desirable center location.
just an idea :thinking:

 

[mbrands]

Squidd,
Thanks for the feedback!
It looks like I'm lucky either way . . . either they are new to the tank and need time to explore, or they'll stay in the same place. Fortunately, they are right in the front of my tank and look beautiful there. Horray!!
Mike :jumping:

 

[fishy1]

Hello!

Your responses have been great. Here are my responses to your responses:
I was told by my two local fish stores that this is just what they do sometimes and neither store knew exactly why they hang out in such a small place other than it's their comfort zone. I was told not to worry and will take the advice to get him a buddy or two when he gets a little bit bigger. :happyfish :happyfish :happyfish
I also want to get another anenome to try, but they said he just might not want to be hosted and it might not be the anenome I have at all; it goes both ways. Just in case, I'm going to try a sebae or bubble tip.
I find it odd how he swam so excitedly all over in the treatment tank, which is only 10 gallons, and now he doesn't in the the 42 gallon. :yes:
Yes, my fish are very small this time around, that's for SURE! I can find them, however and they are all very happy and playful with healthy appetites. I like to get them small and watch them grow, but this time I was just trying to get my clownfish out of the corner. It's kind of funny seeing such itty bitty fish in such a big tank, especially the batfish, one inch down, 23 to go!
Thanks again everyone! You guys are great! Had I known about this forum when my fish initially got sick, I probably could have saved them.

Now I know, thanks again to all of you, I will keep checking back with you; maybe I can help you some day! :jumping:
Fishy1 :happyfish

 

[dskidmore]

Don't forget to leave space in those 23 inches for your existing guys to grow. You might want to wait on the anenome, they can be very difficult to keep long-term.

 

[smbuddy46]

i have the same thing i bought a maroon clown about a month ago and 90% of the time he stays up in the left hand corner of the tank near the the top.i even bought another clown a clarkii which i was told they might not get along but they have and now they stay together in the same place at night. but the maroon still resides in the corner. he'll come sometimes, he is even cautious about someing down to eat until the ohter makes a move then he'll come out. maybe they are just shy fish.