Clown behavior??

spammie5

spammie5

Member
I have a pair of Ocellaris Clowns that seem quite happy...always eating and swimming about. Last night when I turned off the light, they went to their sleep spot which is at the right end of the tank behind a rock. Today...one of my clowns, Troy I named him, is in the corner at the other end of the tank. he's just nose first into the corner. Emmitt, my other clown, is swimming about like normal and will occasionally swim over to Troy as if to check on him. And as I've been writing this, I'm watching Emmitt pretty much stay at the same end of the tank but facing the front of the tank almost like he's on watch. Do I need to be concerned or is this just clown behavior?
I did add some critters last night including a white sleeper goby and a few snails and crabs. But all seem to be getting along. I have pics so you can see him in the corner.
I read in another thread about staying put and hovering if one has laid eggs - and I've looked but I can't find any.
Thanks for any advice you can give!


 
alabama reefer

alabama reefer

Member
How long have you had them? Is one a bit larger than the other? Did it eat when you fed today? I don't think any of the things you added caused it to stick it's nose in the corner. The only thing I can say for sure right now is you are a Dallas Cowboy fan.(Troy & Emmit)
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
I have had them approximately a full month. They appear to be exactly the same size. The only way I can tell them apart is that Troy's black stripes aren't as dark as Emmitt's...and yes. I am a Cowboy fan!
They have been great up until today. Watching them both throughout the day it really appears as if the one still swimming is looking out for the other...he will go down and swim right next to the other in the corner and then eventually come back up and 'be on the look-out' it seems....
 
alabama reefer

alabama reefer

Member
Is the one with it's nose in the corner eating? Being the same size one will have to take on the female role if they bond and will grow bigger if they don't bond there could be altercations between them. Maybe some of the clown guru's will step in and help you out more.
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
The one in the corner did not eat when I fed them last night.
Also, this morning I see the faintest of white spots on him. Darn it! So what do I do now??
Also I'm thinking that the other one will be the female. It's dorsal fins are just a hint bigger, stand up more and I'm thinking it might be just a tad bigger. It's colors are more vibrant as well.
The last observation I made with my sickly fish is that he appears to be gulping for air much faster than the other.
I do not have a quarantine tank but if I can set one up today with a ten gallon I'll do it. Never had one so I need to know what to get and do....
Thanks for the help all.
 
sueandherzoo

sueandherzoo

Active Member
I'll be tagging along to see what kind of replies you get because I have a similar situation: 2 clowns in a 14 gallon biocube - had them about a month, yesterday one was staying at the bottom of the tank, belly almost touching sand, and consistently there all day and all night. I noticed two black spots on him/her and think maybe they are anemone stings, but I'm just guessing and not sure if that's related to him/her hanging on the bottom all of a sudden. Can't wait to get home for lunch to check on them but with this storm we're having I may not get home for lunch today. :(
Keep us posted.
Sue
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
Sue: I hope for both our sakes, the very knowledgeable people here will help us out! I have come to just love my little pair of clowns and so hope I can fix what ever may be wrong!
And did you say storm? What I wouldn't give for some RAIN!!!!
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
Well I feel discouraged.
After reading the informative thread about ich and treatment and the many long and debated ways to prevent/cure/treat...here's my deal. I have inverts so I can not try hypo. I don't have a QT...I know...don't yell at me...Maybe I should try a water change and see if he gets better on his own? Right now he only has 3 very small faint spots on him.
I did introduce new pieces of rock and crabs/snails to the tank over the weekend and it was after that I noticed the change in behavior. He's obviously stressed as he is breathing quickly.
I'm going out of town this weekend and scared about what to do while I'm gone. I do have trusted friends involved in the hobby that can come and do what needs to be done....sigh. I'm sad. I'll be setting up a QT soon. That's for sure.
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
I haven't gotten any help...and my fish looks worse and just sitting on the bottom....I don't want to just watch him die...anyone???
 
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