Clown Prepping for Eggs?

[debbers]

Hi, I've not been around here for a LONG time, but had a question on my odd clown behavior recently.
My tank has been up for over 4 years now, and I've had a pair of false percs that I got as tiny juveniles. They sorted things out and have been a mated pair for a couple years now.
Recently I've noticed the female backing up into the substrate (LS) and swishing her tail around vigorously, sending a *puff* of silt into the water. She has hollowed out two spots in the back of the tank and now is working on one in the front of the tank. My son thought that maybe she is prepping a nest to lay eggs in. He said he's seen fresh water fish do the same thing.
So I'm wondering if this is normal behavior prior to egg-laying... and if so, what the heck do I do when she lays them? Will the male automatically fertilize them? How do I keep the other critters from eating them?
My tank is a well-established 29gal with LS an LR... tank mates include a royal gramma, a purple-back CBS, snails and crabs.
Thanks for any info. and advice!

 

[rainbowsix]

That is a very good possibility that they are prepping for a nest. They also do this when they are making a home, like if you have a piece of coral they like or an anemone they host. So until you see them being extremely defensive of this place, I wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[dawman]

Many clowns do this around their anemone or their spot . Clowns usually lay on a vertical surface . They will start cleaning this surface by nipping and rubbing against it e few days before laying .