Clown fish coming out more when lights are off?

flight

Member
I have had this clown fish for about a week now and as i posted in another thread before he didn't want to eat after the 4th day in the tank although i was feeding him flakes. So then i tried frozen brine shrimp and he came and ate a couple maybe.
I see him pooping so i guess he is eating but the problem i am having with him is that he keep hanging out around the heater towards the bottom of it and only does he leave if the three strip dammsel comes in that area or he will randomly leave for a little bit and end up right back in the same spot.
WHAT I noticed was that if i turn the lights of in the tank he comes out and swims around the tank all day long....and at night well he is always swimming if the lights are off but if i turn lights on in the day or whenever he is back at that spot by the heater.
TODAY he ate maybe two tiny flakes and a piece of brine or two but then passed by or spit out after taking in a piece of brine.
ANY IDEAS anoyone please let me know...i am fairly new to this saltwater thing and books and sites only tell me sooo much.
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rainfishy

Member
Well a couple things seem to be happening. First is that the clown is getting picked on be the three strip, which will cause it to be more inclined to hid and come out more in the dark. Second you need try some higher quality foods, I recommend various types of frozen foods, but brine is not quality. Stress from being picked on and low quality for will quickly lead to disease. What are your current water parameters? How long has your tank been set up?
PS Welcome to the boards
 

flight

Member
Well my water paramaters are fine.
salt is at 1.022
nitrate 0
nitrite 0
ph 8.4
amounia .01
temp 80 degress
i got 15 lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of live sand i got four tiny and i mean tiny dwarf hermit crabs and the damsel.
I did move the heater to a horizontal position and now the clown seems to be out and about at all times. I do not notice any confrontation between the Dammsel and the Clown. In fact the dammsel at night has his a little sleeping spot in a rock but i guess you could say he has established his spot in the tank.
You mentioned some better quality food, what other food do you reccomend considering the fact that I will sooner or later add a Valentini Puffer and i am aware that it might eat the crabs but i don't care.
 
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