Clownfish Question/Problem

[aquafox]

I have a Cinnamon Clown that has been in my tank for about 8 days now. The last two nights I have observed very unusual behavior and I am trying to decide what, if anything, to do about it. During the day, whether the light is on or off, the fish acts normally. At night, whether the light is on or off, the fish begins hanging around at the bottom of the tank, scruffing in the sand, and bumping into the walls of the tank. Happy (my clownfish) will aggressively charge any roommates during this time and kicks up quite alot of dust in the process of making the hollowed out spot on the bottom of the tank. Last night when I first noticed Happy was acting strange, I actually thought the fish was dead as it was laying over on its side in the hollow spot it had made. When I turned the light on and checked, the fish seemed disoriented for a little while and then continued scruffing on the bottom. This morning she was bact to acting perfectly normal and tonight she began her strange behavior again. (I say she but I do not know for sure). One other thing I noticed is one tiny white speck on one of her side fins - no other specks any where else on her. I had the water tested by a reliable store yesterday and was told that it is perfectly within all normal parameters. I have researched fish illnesses and the only thing that looks like a strong possibility is ick or a parasitic infection. I have a friend who raises freshwater fish and she suggested that this is possibly a female clown who may have been impregnated before I got her and may be seeking a place to lay her eggs. I don't want to medicate her inappropriately but I also don't want to wait until it's too late. Can anyone out there shed some light on this or give me some symptoms to look for to determine what the problem is? I have medicine for the ick or parasitic infection...I just didn't think it was a good idea to medicate unnecessarily but I do have other fish in the tank to be concerned with...Help!

 

[beth]

Happy clownfish owner! Normal antics of a healthy clown. However, you might want to get the clown a real host. What she's doing is simulating normal behaviors that she'd exhibit if she had an anemone. Nestling out a little space [cozy hole] for herslf, then resting against it just like clowns do when they have hosts. This one is likely wild caught. While most people feel that clowns are perfectly fine wo the host, I personally feel that they need it, and do better with one.
Do you have a reef tank? Large ricordeas make good clown hosts, and don't require high lighting. Zoos are also good for this.

 

[aquafox]

Thanks so much for the help! I am absolutely dying to get an anemone for Happy but I have been told that my tank needs to be set up about 6 months and I will have to get better lighting to support one. The particular anemone that you mention - would it be something I could add earlier than 6 months? I have a 46 gallon tank, 20 lbs live rock, live sand, protein skimmer, etc. I have been having the water tested regularly and have been maintaining within all required parameters. Let me know what your thoughts are as I would much prefer for Happy to have an anemone as well....