Odd True Perc Behavior

[kyarnkid]

Ok, this is the truth, but my true perc has problems. I saw him floating upside down today and he commonly floats on his side. He eats great and I he has no visible problems to him. He swims fine and he does not breath hard at all. When I caught him floating upside down I went to look and he uprighted and got excited as if i was coming to feed him. My water quality is great, I have good parameters.
This is really scaring me, because I cannot explain what is wrong with him. Can anyone explain why he act like this?

 

[beth]

What do you mean by upside down? Do you mean nose facing downward toward the tank floor and tail up, or do you mean belly up?
If nose was down and tail up, this is true perc normal behavior. Common resting position for the percs and there's nothing to worry about, as long as all other behavior is normal.

 

[kyarnkid]

BETH,
He floats upside down. I mean he is belly up, right now looking at him pointing totally vertical(strait up and down) with his nose out of the water. He has always acted funny, but today he seems more sluggish, I wish I knew what was wronf with him. Maybe, he needs a mate.

 

[kyarnkid]

Also he is always at the top of the tank, and the majority of my current is near the middle and bottom. I wish I knew what was wrong with him.

 

[beth]

Clownfish commonly hang out at the top of the tank, usually situated behind something, like a powerhead.
I can't imagine a fish being belly up and still alive or not half dead, but, as I said, clowns do have odd resting positions. The vertical position is quite normal for these little fish, either nose up toward the water near surface, or facing down. Before I knew better, I used to think there was something wrong with my clowns, but now I know that this is just part of their tank behavior.
If this fish is eating normally and has good color and is otherwise behaving normal, I wouldn't worry. Keep an eye on the situation to see if you notice any changes in body color, bloating, etc. Also, check to see if the fish is being harrassed by other aggressive fish.

 

[kyarnkid]

I know of no harassing, because he is the king of the tank. He chases the damsels if they get to close to his food. If i get the right anenome will he go more towards it if its on the bottom or do you think he will continue to hang near the top?

 

[beth]

Yes, a host anemone may get him out of these odd positions, however, some clowns have been know to accept host corals. And corals, if you have a reef tank, are less problematic than the ever moving, stinging, growing anemone.
Try mating him with another clown.

 

[kyarnkid]

Why would I see a difference if I fed him live food?
More nutrition in his diet would make him feel better right?

 

[jsolomon]

This post actually hits home with me also. I have 3 perc clowns in my 92 gallon bow front tank and they all tend to hang out at the top or in the corners of the tank. They all eat great and their colors are perfect. I guess this is just what is comfortable for these fish. I have had mine for 2 months now and they all do this.

 

[beth]

This is common clownfish behavior, but belly up isn't.

 

[pitons]

I have had this problem with goldfish in the past. I was feeding them flaked/pellet food that floated on the surface of the water. When the fish came up to feast, it would swallow a lot of O2 when it tried to eat the food. This would cause the fish to swim upside down (belly up) for a long time because due to the amount of gas in their stomach. I would highly suggest trying to feed them food that does not float and see if that cures the problem -- it worked for me.

 

[kyarnkid]

Good point Pitons, I noticed that a huge air bubble comes from his mouth sometimes when he feeds.