Jump to content
Innovative Marine Aquariums

Frantic ocellaris clown


hwk7072

Recommended Posts

About a week ago I put a one-inch ocellaris in my 6 week old 5g reef. He's been swimming up and down the glass almost nonstop, and now he seems just frantic. He eats well and enthusiastically, taking in an entire mysis. I also have a small bicolor blenny in with him. Water params are decent - 0 NH3, 0 NO2, 10 NO3, .12 PO4. There are plenty of hiding places in the live rock, and he has a few places he goes if he's spooked, like if I'm cleaning the glass.

 

I'm worried, as this frantic up and down the glass isn't content behavior. I know it's a small tank - I'll be setting up a 50g cube in the next few weeks, and I'll transfer him to this once it's cycled. Should I maybe get another little ocellaris, knowing that I'll be transferring them to a larger tank in about 6 weeks or so? I wish I could put an anemone in this tank, as he may settle into that.

 

Any insight appreciated

Link to comment
Deleted User 8

Clowns will do that. Soimetimes it takes a while for them to settle in. Keep it calm, and don't overfeed. Don't add anything else. What test kits are you using? Are you sure that NH3 and NO2 are 0?

 

If you could post a video that would help.

 

Buzz

Link to comment

Hmmm, not sure what has him so spooked. The bigger tank should definitely help, but other than that I am not sure what you can do for it now. How often do you feed? It may be hungry...

 

As for a second clown, I would hold off until you get the 50 cube cycled. Adding a second clown to the 5 gallon could stress the existing clown more. They could have territorial issues which would make the situation worse.

 

As for the anemone, it definitely would not be easy in that small of a tank. Also, the is no guarantee that the clown would even host the anemone.

Link to comment

Thanks for the responses. I'll post a video later today. You might be right about just settling in. It's tank bred, which should help. Yes, certain that the NH3 and NO2 are 0, at least with the API test kit.

Link to comment

One other thing to consider is flow. the babies are not accustomed to high flow such as a reef tank so they stay high and against the glass trying to escape it. He needs a comfy spot in the tank with low flow where he can feel safe and not have to constantly swim. They gradually get used to it but can also over stress and perish regardless of how much they eat.

Link to comment

Just a thought, but is it possible that your clown can see his reflection in the glass? My Clown has been in a 16 gallon for almost four months now and every once in awhile he attacks the glass frantically. I think he's attacking his reflection. He's also a very active swimmer, constantly exploring the tank.

Link to comment

Just getting back to this. Could be he can see his reflection, probably can. I always think that fish want to swim around in the room that they can see but can't get to. Must be pretty frustrating. He (or she) has settled down a bit, but still up and down the tank. Maybe he's saying "god these hermit crabs are creepy get me out of here!!!" I'm cycling a 20g vs. the 5g he's in, so I'm hoping that helps.



My discus and angelfish in a 90g all plaster themselves up against the front glass when I'm in the room wanting to be fed. So I know what's up with those pigs.

Link to comment

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recommended Discussions

×
×
  • Create New...