Clown Fish Sleeping Habits Hi, <Hello there> I have reviewed your excellent website as always, although I could not find an answer to the following question: I have two clownfish, whose sleeping habits are to pick a corner of the tank and float on their side near the surface, but constantly "swimming" or appearing to. <Not atypical> This occurs at all hours of the night that I have ever observed.  I have had them in the tank for about 2 months and they have always done this.  Is this behavior normal? <Normal enough> Some setup facts: 280g tank about 120 lb of live rock 2-3 inch sand bed 80F all the time NH4-, NO2- = 0 NO3- ~ 20ppm (getting rid of bio balls) 5 rainbow wrasses 5 damsels a few unsuccessful corals (not sure why) ~10% water change monthly Thanks.  You guys are great. Regards, Lloyd. <Well, I'm passable... IME, not great. Bob Fenner> Query on Percula Clown fish behaviour 01-11-06 Greetings from South Africa :-) <Wendy> I found your website really informative, thank you for setting it up. <Glad you like it.> I have been searching for answers to the following behavior question, and have not found anyone in the know, on my side of the world. So I am really hoping you will be able to assist. <I will try my best.> My current tank is about 4 months old.  I have relocated all coral and fish from my house in Botswana, where I had them for 2 years. Background info :  100lt tank,  with de-nitrator, protein skimmer and a trickle filter. Various soft corals including mushrooms and colts, a frogspawn and lots of live rock. Other fish  (excluding 2 clowns) -  a small yellow tang and a goby. Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates and Phosphates are at Zero.  Calcium sits around 550ppm. Salinity is normal according to Hydrometer. Have no algae problems (no hair or slime algae) Running blue and white 10K tubes. Use only RO water. Feed every second day. <Sounds great.> The issue:  My clown (the smaller one) has started to swim with an open mouth and suck on my colt coral, a lot.   <This is not atypical.> He has not eaten in the last 4 days.   <This is not typical...> He is not thin (yet), and has no indication of disease, in fact he swims around like normal. The larger clown is fine, eats normally and his mouth is closed.  He is not damaging the corals, I just want to know if there is something that I should add, or do before he does get sick.  It looks really odd that his mouth is permanently open. <The only thing I can think of that would cause the open mouth and not eating is internal parasites. If you have ever noticed white stringy feces from this or your other clown you will want to treat them for internal parasites.> I would really appreciate any advice you could give. <Hope that helps. Travis> Many thanks
Wendy

I think my Boyfriend's Clownfish Hates me 01-08-06 Hi. <Hello> My boyfriend has a saltwater tank with a variety of fish & other   creatures. One of them is a clownfish. I am convinced she hates me because as  soon as I step foot in the room she starts behaving in the most hateful way. <They don't call them clowns for nothing.> She  launches at me when I'm right in front of the tank. She'll attack other fish.   She'll even try to push rocks & corals out of their place. It's ridiculous  and annoying. <I feel your pain, I have a few female clowns that do the same thing.> I hate her too. <I don't think it is healthy to hate a fish.> When my boyfriend's not around I tease her and  it's so amusing to see her get enraged (of course, as soon as my boyfriend shows   up I stop and pretend I don't know why the coral fell over). <That has to be quite the sight to see.> One of the things she does that annoys me the most is wag her tail in the sand aggressively right  in front of me. She kicks up the sand and creates dunes eventually. I try to  prevent her from doing that whenever I can, but my boyfriend tells me to leave  her alone. My questions is, why does she wag her tail in the sand and is it  possible for a fish to dislike a person so much? <Clowns will "dig" for many reasons. One of which is to clear a spawning site. Another reason is for exercise. As for her disliking you, clowns can become conditioned to respond to their owners in certain ways. An example of this would be, how fish crowd the front glass when the person that normally feeds then enters the room. Your version sounds a bit like she is conditioned to attack the hand that taunts her. If you want her to quit, become the hand that feeds her. Travis> Thank  you.

False percula acting strange 01-09-06 Hello my name is Tyler <Hello Tyler. Travis here with you today.> I have 2 false percula clowns in a 29 gallon tank. They are by themselves. There are 4 small hermit crabs, and a serpent star. I run a power compact and a 50/50 light. I used to run just 2 50/50 lights at once then a couple days ago I received a power compact. I just got the bigger of the two clowns no longer than 2 months ago. <When dealing with clowns, it is best to add a smaller fish to an established larger fish.> All was well with them until the past 2 days. The smaller of the two has been acting very strange. I'm not sure if it is of any work of breeding conditions or what but the past 2 days the smaller one has not been eating. He was before, but not recently. I have had the smaller one about 5 months and no problems. <Sounds to me like your clown stopped eating because it is being bullied or is ill.> I feed them a variety of foods. I feed them formula 2 marine pellets( recommended by my local saltwater fish store), ocean fresh marine flakes and sally's frozen brine shrimp. <You should look into adding frozen Formula One as it was designed to meet the requirements of clownfish.> The bigger of the two clowns,  which I believe is the female, <Sounds like they both may be female.> has been eating regularly. I have a long tentacle anemone in the tank also. They hang out around it but they haven't hosted it yet. It has been in there since Christmas Eve. <Long tentacles are not normal clown hosts.> But the smaller clown has been laying on the sand bottom and has a mini hole dug for himself. The bigger of the two swims around the tank and then comes back as if it were checking on the  other clown. The smaller clown that I am having problems with is also breathing a little heavier than usual. <That is never a good sign.> This isn't usual in a breeding pattern is it? <no> The smaller of the two hangs around a small rock but is like a mini cave with the outside covered in small brown zoo's. I did not see any sign of eggs or anything in that such matter. Do you know if there is a problem with the clown or is this usual. This is the first time I have ever had problems with it. <Your clown is either ill, possibly brook, or is being stressed by the larger fish.> The bigger of the two clowns some times comes up to him and ,rubs up against him and swims around the tank. Then the smaller one like does this vibrating thing. Is that normal too? <Vibrations are a sign of submission. You will find this in pairing or when a clown is bullied by another.> When I come near the tank the smaller one moves around a bit not going too far and then returns to the little hole he made. Do you think this has anything to do with the temp? It runs 79-83 degrees. <No> As I speak, the smaller clown is resting on the bottom of the tank. I have had this tank up and running since early June and haven't had any problems with it at all. Well I sure appreciate all of the info I received just by reading from others, but I will appreciate your reply. Thanks very much and I am looking forward to hear back. -Tyler- <Make sure to keep an eye on that clown and remove one or the other if you witness bullying. Also watch for signs of brook. Finally, make sure to QT any fish that gets added to your tank. Travis> Re: False percula acting strange 01-10-06 Thank you! <Glad to have helped.> I know for sure it wasn't bullying and my clown has returned back to normal. I just fed them and they are both eating well. <Glad to hear it.> It must have just been a temporary thing. But thank you for your help and now I know who to go to when I ned to know anything about my tank. <Feel free to drop us an email anytime. Travis>

Clown and skimmer 01-06-06 Hello, <Hello, Travis here with you today.> I have just one quick question about my little percula clown and his new skimmer. <What a spoiled clown to have his own skimmer. Quite the Christmas present.> First let me describe my set up.   29 gallon Bio-wheel filter (up to 55 gallon) about 25 lbs of live rock 1 percula clown 1 blue damsel 2 blue leg hermit crabs, and 3 turbo snails a new Prizm skimmer (up to 90 gallon) <Very nice.> I first turned on my skimmer and all seemed well. About 2 hours later I came in and I noticed my clownfish swimming face down like he was struggling! I turned the skimmer off and about 1 hour later he seemed to be doing fine. Again I turned it on and about 1 hour later he was struggling. I went to my LFS and he told me to wrap panty-hose or a filter around the intake. I did so and this was no help. I haven't a clue what the problem is! Is the intake sucking to hard? Too much water flow? <I would say he is either fighting a strong current from the return or he is having trouble dealing with a sound or vibration caused by the new skimmer. The last option is, he is just being a "clown" and will adjust to the new skimmer with time. Travis>     Please Help, Brian Black Clown stripes 01-03-06 Hey guys love the site. <Glad to hear it.>     Sort of a simple question; <My favorite kind.> I have two true black percula clownfish. <There is actually no such fish, only a black variant of Amphiprion Ocellaris (false percula). They are both juveniles. Their stripes do not meet yet, is  this a thing that happens with age? <If they are under 1/2 and inch it is possible the bars will continue to grow. Odds are that unless you got them directly from a breeder the bars are done and your clowns are mis-barred which will be permanent.> Also when does the transition of male to  female occur? <As soon as one clown establishes dominance. You will see it happen in their behavior and one clown, the female, will show a quick growth spurt.> Does anything have to be set up correctly? <You need to keep everything stable especially water parameters and light cycles.>     Thanks for all your help         -Nick <Good luck with your new pair, Travis> Clown color change  12/24/05 Hi - ALSO our clown has darkened in color across the top third of his entire body, except for the white.  I read in your FAQ that this can be a stress reaction. <Yes, often the case> Could the drastic lighting adjustments have caused this, or simply rearranging of the tank/introduction of the lawnmower blenny? <Either, both> And how long should we give him to turn back to normal?? <A few days... if the fish is still eating, I'd not worry. Bob Fenner> thanks

Odd Clownfish Color Development 12-12-05 I currently have 2 percula clowns in a 100 gallon tank, along with a mandarin goby and yellow tang. <I bet they are in heaven with all that space and so few neighbors.> Over the past 2 weeks or so, both of the clowns have developed a dark coloration on the top halves of their bodies. The larger of the two did it first, but the smaller has as well. There haven't been any changes or additions to the tank of note. Does this sound like something I need to worry about, or do you have any suggestions as to why this is happening? They both seem to be in perfect health besides developing a "tan", but I'd still like to know what's going on. <You hit the nail on the head. It is similar to a tan. Clowns sometimes get increased melanation due to the lights on our tanks. This can also be a coloration change that just arrives with age. It is nothing to be afraid of.> Thanks for your time. <Glad to help, Travis> Clint Land Established Ocellaris clowns were friends now fighting 12-12-05 I have had two ocellaris clowns for almost a year now. When I got them one was about 1 inch long, and the other one was a little smaller. The larger one got quite a bit bigger after being in my tank for a while, so I assume that it was the dominant one and had become a female, while the smaller one was a male. <Usually a safe bet.> They have always hung around together and gotten along great. One of them now is chasing the other one around the tank. The one being chased is really stressed out and constantly hiding. It got so stressed out that it jumped into the overflow, so it is temporarily in my sump. Is it possible that they are both females now? <It is possible.> There is very little size difference between them now. <That means it is even more possible.> About 2 weeks ago I added a few more fish, but none of them are aggressive at all. My tank is 135 gallons and my inhabitants include a tri-colored fairy wrasse, coral beauty, 2 female carpenters wrasses, Banggai cardinal fish, lawn mower blenny, 4 Chromis, blue tang, purple firefish, 2 ocellaris clowns, and a Redfin fairy wrasse. Needless to say I am done stocking my tank now, but could this be too many fish, causing the one clown to be more aggressive? <The clown aggression is related to the sex or just dislike of the other clown. They will need to be separated and a less than one inch mate could be introduced.> Should I find a new home for one of the clowns or could I just separate them for a while? I could put the more aggressive one in a quarantine tank for a few days, but would this help? <Just get rid of one or the other. I suggest keeping the nicer one.> I would really appreciate any advice that you have on the situation. Thanks, <Travis> Peculiar Perculas! 11-28-05 A quick question if anyone would be so kind to assist....  <Travis here with you.> I have consulted WWM FAQs btw, but cannot find the relevant answer. I have two Percula Clowns and had a little trouble with one (seemed to be some kind of parasitic infection which cleared up after QT and treatment).  Unfortunately, the condition seems to have returned - though I'm doubting if it's a problem with parasites after all. Around the first white band (about the gills) are what look like scales flaking off/small scars and the final band, around the tail, has gone a dark grey. The second fish now seems to be developing a grey band yet both fish are very lively and are showing no signs of distress (scratching, laboured breathing, listing etc). Please could you enlighten me as to possible causes of said discoloration and markings? <Some clowns will darken with age or in response to your lighting. As long as you are not seeing open wounds or signs/symptoms of disease I would not be alarmed.> Many thanks, Steve Morse. <Travis> 

Vertical Clown 11-25-05 Clear Day Hello, <Howdy> I'll start by saying thanks again for a great website and also for prior help you have given me. Two months ago I bought a True Percula and he was put in quarantine for a month. He showed no sign of disease, swam a fair bit and ate like a pig. <Sounds good.> I transferred him to my main tank and from the time I put him in he has stayed up at a top corner in a pretty well always vertical position. <Typical> He occasionally swims in a small 3 inch circle and then reverts to vertical.  <Still typical, but could also indicate a swim bladder issue due to improper acclimation or infection.> Once the MH lights go off and just the actinics are on for the last hour he occasionally rides a powerhead current to the other side of the tank and then swims back right at the waterline to the corner. <If he is capable of flat swimming, ignore the swim bladder comment.> I could keep him in a half-gallon tank and he would have more room than he uses!! His tank mates in my 90 gallon are a small Hippo Tang and 2 Green Chromis and from what I have seen no one is harassing him.  <Key here is "have seen." He also may just be stressed by them being there.> They actually go up to see him at times. I tried introducing a Heteractis crispa a few weeks ago and he doesn't go near it.  <Should never buy another animal to help another animal. It is like the story of the woman who swallowed the fly.> Not even curious. My water parameters are all within recommended ranges and everything else is living happily. Any idea what the problem might be with him?? <Sick, scared, or even normal clowns will do this. If he shows no signs of illness let him be. Eventually he will move down. If there are any signs of illness, including stringy feces, move him to QT right away.> Pete <Travis>

Blackening ocellaris, the pH Kit is Acting Strange!  11/22/05 Dear Crew, <Peter> First, thanks for maintaining WWM. It's a wonderful resource. <Welcome> Background: On October 25 of this year, my girlfriend purchased a 20-gallon marine system. We both have had success in freshwater, but are new to salt. The seller said the tank had been running for a year or so. He hadn't been doing water changes and the tank's light had burned out and gone unreplaced.  The tank was running a hang-on Whisper power filter. The tank contained a ton of various algae, a two-inch layer of white sand, around 20 lbs. of live rock, a blue damsel, and an ocellaris clown (both looking healthy in spite of awful conditions). November 7, girlfriend added 2 more pounds of live sand, 4 more pounds cured live rock, and a 1/4" blue-legged hermit crab, which died/disappeared within a week. <Likely "used to" very dissimilar water quality...> Situation: My girlfriend has since replaced the light fixture with a two-bulb Coralife fixture, running one 10k bulb and one actinic, with little blue nightlights. She has added a BakPak CPR skimmer (with a pre-skimmer and without the Bio-bale media) which yields a cup of thin, dark skimmate every two days. <A lot of gunk for such a small system, eh?> She has also added a 125 gph powerhead for circulation. Test results: ammonia undetectable; between 0 and 0.1 nitrite ; 2.5 phosphate; between 75-110 mg/L nitrate (!). <!!!> The pH kit is acting strange, girl suspects it has been climbing, 8.5 - 8.7. Alkalinity 190-20 mg/L. Salinity had been at 1.018 and girlfriend has been slowly raising it over this month because she'd like to keep inverts eventually -- it now stands steady at 1.022.  Added 0.5 L Kalkwasser over 12 hours, couple tablespoons at a time, five days ago. Regimen of 20 percent water changes every 5-7 days since acquisition. Live rock is displaying Aiptasia and some little animals. Algae is still an issue (due to phosphates I think girlfriend said). Water change using distilled, treated with Prime water conditioner.  Problem: The clown is changing color on the top 1/3 of his body, from head to tail. It's as if he has a suntan -- it's an even darkening of his color, except for the white stripes, which remain white. He is turning black. The fish breathes, eats, and swims normally. He is sufficiently aware to dart for cover when I attempt to photograph his odd condition. This first appeared a week ago and his darkening is intensifying slowly but gradually.  I have read elsewhere on WWM that many clowns change color as they age, but I have never read about a blackening ocellaris. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks. -- Peter <Is "stress coloration"... too much change going on too quickly to suit this fish. I would hold off, not use Kalk in this size, type system... rely on water changes, vacuuming to improve water quality for a few months... Bob Fenner> 

Tomato the Clown Digger  - 11/22/2005 Hello, <Hello Peter> This is the first time I've asked a question here. I do read through and find your website very informative. <Glad you enjoy it.> I have a cycled 20g tank with a Tomato Clown and a Yellow Tail Blue Damsel in it. Recently I've noticed that every now and then, it will bite onto something and use its tail to kick up sand (it looked like it was trying to push the rock aside). Today, I saw the blue damsel do that same thing and got me concerned. Have you seen this before and what does it mean? <My Tomato Clown does the same thing and it's quite infuriating. More of a nesting behavior and making itself at home I think. I wouldn't worry, but make sure your rock work is on stable ground.> Thanks, Peter <You're welcome. - Josh>

Clownfish Shivers  11/17/05 Hello, I have a clownfish question. I have a 12 gallon tank, with a lot of small hermit crabs, a banded coral shrimp pair, a peppermint shrimp, a scarlet cleaner shrimp, anemone crab (and a small Condy anemone) and two clown fish (Amphiprion ocellaris). The question is this: I had my clownfish (well, I still do) and it was in there by it's self (no other fish I mean) since I cycled it about a year ago with all my shrimp and hermit crabs and so forth. Today I bought another small clownfish and it swims along side with it. The thing is, is that it 'shivers' sometimes around the small fish. It shivers sideways even. Anyhow, is this to be expected, a sign of aggression, or just getting to know the other fish? <it may be a sign of aggression or maybe a parasite! I would keep a close eye on the clowns...if you see what beating on the other one I would separate them immediately. also make sure that the new addition does not have ich! good luck, IanB> 

New Clownfish Behaviour  11/10/05 Hi, <Howdy> Thank you for your dedication to this hobby and the very informative web site. <Welcome> I am writing with a concern about the of new two A. percula (small about ¾ in.) I received today.  I ordered from Foster & Smith, they arrived today very well packaged on several plastic bags, including a black shade. I acclimated them, floating the bag for 30 min. and then adding a small cup of water every 5-10 min, discarding ½ of the water and repeating the process. It took about 2 hours before I released the two clowns in my quarantine 10 gal tank. The tank is bare except for a couple of pvc pipes for shelter. Water params: SG 1.023 pH 8.2 Amm 0, Nitrites and Nitrates 0 Temp 79F.  The clowns initially swam around the tank sticking together with the larger picking from time to time on the smaller. After a few hours both of them started bobbing continuously. It is a strange movement, up and down with a fairly short excursion. <Typical... normal behavior> They still stick together and pick on each other from time to time. I gave them a very small amount of flake food and they ate promptly. Is this normal behavior for clown fish or is it a sign of stress? If they are stressed what can I do? Thanks Claudio <No worries here. Do monitor ammonia, nitrite while they're in quarantine. Cheers, Bob Fenner> 

Re: New Clownfish Behaviour  11/11/05 Thanks for your kind reply. I feel better. Today the fishes are seemed perkier and less bobbing. Claudio <Ahh! They are (indeed) Clowns! Cheers, BobF>

Clownfish Swimming in circles 11/6/05 I have had a Maroon Clown fish for over 6 months now, it's only companion is a coral beauty and both seemed to be doing well. I woke up yesterday and noticed that the clown was swimming differently. He seems to be leaning to one side all the time and spins in circles, he still comes up for food when fed and there are no markings on his body. Its almost as if he cant swim down could this be some kind of bladder problem , some help on how to fix this problem would be much appreciated thanking you in advance. :) <Mmm, could be a few things here... ranging from "nothing" but natural behavior to a developmental problem with water quality, nutrition... not likely pathogenic. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clndisfaqs.htm and the linked files above... and accrue, send on pertinent information as you find others have done... on history, make-up, water quality of the system. Bob Fenner> 

Clown swimming sideways? 11/1/05 Hi, <Good day> Hoping we can get some advice from the resident fish doctor. We are newbies to the aquarium scene, starting with a nano cube, and recently added our first fish about a week ago - 2 black and white perculas. The female (Bonnie) is fairly active and looks healthy. The male (Clyde) however started off very docile and did not venture around the tank much eventually settling near a hollow in the live rock. One thing we noticed was that Clyde is always gasping very quickly while Bonnie is fairly calm. The forward orange section is also noticeable paler on Clyde than on Bonnie. Clyde also does not eat a lot - and always goes for the smaller bits that float past him if he does. We thought that this may be normal given the gender difference?  <Good observations... not unusual behavior/differences> Well this morning we got a bit more concerned as we found Clyde swimming in circles sideways at the surface of the water. <Not good usually> Our local store says this can be typical of juvenile males and is temporary? <I hope> - Still does not make us too happy as we are worried he is in discomfort? We have tested the water and PH, Nitrates and nitrites look normal. Any help or advice would be most welcome. Many Thanks <Not much to do here... these are "clowns" and do exhibit strange behavior at times. I do hope/trust yours will "normalize"... Do keep an eye out for aggression from Bonnie. Bob Fenner> 

Re: Clown swimming sideways? 11/2/05 Hi again, <Reiterant salutations> Thanks for the info and words of encouragement. Thankfully Clyde is starting to swim upright again, and venturing away from the surface.  <Ah, good> Bonnie looks more playful than aggressive and gives him the odd gently nudge, but will keep an eye out (Maybe just me but she looks like she is mothering him!). This site and the FAQs are really useful for us beginners. Thanks again. <Our intent. Cheers, BobF> 

Doing What Comes Natural - 09/07/05 Hi guys, thanks for all the advice your site offers. <<Glad you find it useful.>> We've got two juvenile false percula clownfish in our quarantine tank, which has good water parameters (8.0/0/0/1.020). <<ok>> They've been in there for about 5 days now.  During the daytime and evening they look great, but when I get up in the morning they've been floating sideways right at the surface, just wriggling. <<Mmm...sounds "plank tonic.">> I turn on the tank light (the only "intervention" I've done) and by the time I get out of the shower they're starting to swim around.  When I get home from work, they're clowning around all over the place!  What gives? <<Well Daniel, let me ask you...is there any "structure" in this tank?  If not, you should add a few pieces of PVC pipe (differing diameters/lengths) to give these fish a place to hide/feel safe.  The behavior you describe hints to me of very young fish trying to look like flotsam, rather than tasty young morsels, to would-be predators in the dark.>> Thanks a bunch. Daniel <<Always welcome, EricR>> Percula Clown Help!  My male percula is suicidal!  He has been getting into the overflow.  The water was high in there so he would just swim around until I got him out. Recently, however, we reworked the intake so that both holes flow into the sump and the water level is lower and flow is faster.  Today I took the foam filters off of the tubes going into the sump, squeezed them so I wouldn't drip water all over the floor on the way to rinse them out.  Well...inside was a pale orange thing!  I rushed him back to the tank.  Now he is swimming in one place (not his usual spot) and hasn't gone over to his mate yet.  He has a scrape on his nose and debris hanging off of his fins.  I'm so upset that I may have squeezed him and I don't know how long he was in the filter.  Should I quarantine him? <Not necessary>  I don't have a QT set up.  I have a 5 gallon tank in the garage I could use.  Or would he be less stressed with his mate in the big tank. It is a 75 gal and the only fish are the clowns and a yellow headed sleeper goby.  What should I do?  Thanks,  Linda <I would leave him in with the mate.  Might try soaking his food with vitamins such as Selcon. Try to get some zip back in him.  James (Salty Dog)>

Re: Clownfish James, thanks for the quick response-you guys are great!  He is looking better already now that he is back with Ruby (his mate).  Any suggestions on how to cover the overflow to prevent this? My tank is an Oceanic Reef Ready with overflow along the back wall (not in the corner, like older models). Thanks again!  Linda <Linda, I would suggest finding some coarse fiberglass screen to put in front of the openings to keep the fish from entering. James (Salty Dog)>

Strange behavior... re Clownfish and lack of information Good Day, I have a 46g tank. Recently I bought 2 Clark Clownfish. Two days ago around 4 a.m. they were like laying down on the sand. During that time they look as if they were dead, I tap the glass and there is no reaction. Later in the morning they are all around the tank. I do not have an anemone.  Is this normal? Here is a photo!!! <Not found> <Not normal. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clndisfaqs.htm and all the Related FAQs, linked above... and on to the Clownfish Systems... Hopefully something "will click" re your situation. Bob Fenner>

New Clown fish question 10/30/05 Hi Crew. First let me say thank you for a great web site. I've been reading your articles and daily FAQ's on a daily basis for over 6 months.  Before I ask my question let me tell you my tank specs.  I have a 38 gal reef aquarium with crushed corral for substrate, about 40 pounds live rock, a Coralife protein skimmer rated for 60 gal witch I will be replacing pretty soon, an under-gravel filter plate connected to a Penguin power-head for reverse flow under-gravel filtration, a Magnum 350 canister filter also used for water movement, a Whisper 40 power hang-on filter for carbon filtration, a Penguin power head for extra water movement, and 2x 96watt PC bulbs-1 true actinic and 1 white.  My residents include 1 small algae blenny, 2 Sebae Clownfish, 1 blue damsel, 1 Royal Gramma, about 10 blue leg hermits, 2 Mexican turbo snails, 3 bumble bee snails, and a assortment of different soft polyp corals. my tank has been set up for over 6 month and is doing wonderfully.  Water perimeters {parameters are as follows, SG 1.024, Ammonia is undetectable so is the nitrite, nitrate is about 10ppm and calcium is around 380.  About 5 days ago I installed a 10 gal aquarium over my display tank with a 1" bulkhead overflow and a Via aqua pump in my display tank.  The 10 Gal has a sand bed with about 15 pounds of live FIJI rock and a compact florescent 13 watt fixture. My wife says that if I get another tank, Ill be sleeping with the fishes, <Heeeee!> I didn't get it till yesterday... LOL.  OK, let me get to the point. About 3 days ago I purchased 2 small wild false percula clowns <Tank bred/reared would have been immensely better...> that I had on hold in my LFS for over 3 weeks. I placed them in the 10 gal aquarium. For the first day the clowns looked healthy, eating good, and swimming around very gracefully but for the last couple days I noticed that the fish were not swimming around the tank like they were doing the first day I received them. Now all they do is hang out in the corner of the tank and will not move anywhere else.  <Happens> They stay very close to the sand bed, almost as if they were resting on it. They still look healthy but will not eat anything. <Not good>  I'm hoping that this is just a phase while they adjust to my system, but this never happened to any other of my fishes. Is there anything I can do? <Keep offering small bits of meaty foods... add a vitamin supplement/appetite stimulant with> Your advise would be greatly appreciated. Oh before I forget. the temp on the tank is a steady 78 degrees. Thanks in advance. <Could try (temporarily) raising this temperature a few degrees F.> Elvin - South Milwaukee, WI <Bob Fenner> 

Clownfish Coloration  - 10/13/05 <<Hello Jon,>> One Last question because I am definitely losing my mind. <<I bet. Isn't this "hobby" a blast?>> My female Percula Clown, is very healthy and eating actively, swimming etc. I  was observing her the other day and I saw that on her gills, (which if you look hard at are kind of frilly looking) have some black toward the bottom. Jet black. I am assuming that this is genetic coloration since she isn't exhibiting signs of parasite or disease. <<Take away her cigarettes. She is fine.>> Ps. My male who is in QT, is being treated with Jungle Parasite Clear, since he wont eat any medicated food. <<Could not find Hex Out I assume.>> I observed on him that he has some brownish spots beneath his skin behind his pectoral fins. Plus, it looks like his upper body toward the dorsal is getting a little blackish. Any more suggestions? The packaging does not explain how long to continue dosage so perhaps you may know? <<I am not familiar with that product as I tend to stay away from that brand for personal reasons. I would follow their dosage instructions and just keep an eye on him. Let him dictate your treatment schedule. I would suggest removing the medicated water and replacing with water from the main display before re-medicating him though. This give him fresh stable water while decreasing the chance of over dose and gives the display an excuse for a water change.>> Thanks for all you do! -Jon <<TravisM>> 

Does One Angry Clownfish = Twelve Angry Men? - 10/13/05 I have two clownfish in a 30 gallon tank. One is an ORA false Percula and the other is a black and white striped clown (Clarkii or saddleback?). Both are around 1.5" inches. The B&W fish was added a month before the Percula and everything was fine for two months.  Now the Percula has gotten really aggressive and has driven the other clown away from the BTA. Whenever he sees the B&W fish he'll chase it away. There are two firefish and one pajama cardinal in that tank but they are not being bothered. Also, when my hand is in the tank the percula will bite it. This happens every time I put my hands inside and started about the same time when the other clown got harassed. What causes this? <<Odds are your orange A. Ocellaris is or has gone female. This will result in the clown becoming more aggressive and she will attempt to put the other clown into a submissive role.>> Should I put in another B&W clown or a tomato or a skunk clown so that the aggression will be less concentrated on a single fish? <<Adding more fish, of a different species, will only make things worse. What I suggest you do is decide which species you like better and stick with it. Pick one clown and get it a mate while returning the other clown to your local fish store. If you really want to keep a black clown and an orange clown then I suggest switching your current black clown for a black A. Ocellaris (False percula). If you choose one species and would like to get it a mate make sure you find a mate that is under 1 inch long. This will ease the possible aggression and increase your chance of building a strong pair bond. Hope that helps, TravisM>>

Clownfish - 10/12/05 Hi Bob and guys :) <<Hello, TravisM here.>> I had emailed you a while ago about my yoyos "odd behavior" and you guys put me at easy with their weirdness. I've been enjoying them every since and they are all still living and doing well. <<Glad to hear that.>> I have since started a saltwater tank that has been up and running for a few months. I have a true perc and a dwarf pygmy in there that I have had for about 3 weeks. My fish store is a mom and pop place and they had the true perc at their store for 6 weeks before I took it home. It was their pet. (I had bought a false perc but it died.. the whole batch did.. bad batch so he gave me the true one). He has been eating fine and doing very well. Both fish get along great and surprisingly swim together a lot. Yesterday, I noticed the true perc had some white stuff on it. It's not ick I don't think, it's more like a patch of dry skin on his "forehead" and on his side. I've been reading a lot and I've read through your pages on clownfish. He has also started doing something he has never done before. I have the return in the middle of the tank and 2 power heads, one on each side. It's a 55g by the way with live sand and live rock, 20g sump underneath, skimmer etc. He has been swimming upwards where the current meets, in the middle of the tank. He'll do that a while and then go and swim normally around the tank and then go back there and swim upwards. This morning, I turned on the lights and he was laying on the sand. I don't really know what he does the other mornings but I don't remember him laying on the sand. It's too early for me to think about it and I'm usually in a huge hurry, running late as always.  I fed him to see if he would eat but he didn't really budge. I finished getting ready and then by the time I left, he was swimming around the tank. I noticed that the white on his side is gone, his color was good and on his forehead, it's almost gone. I also have some polyps and some zoos in there. What's wrong with him? Is the behavior normal, swimming upwards? <<Lets hope nothing. Yes, they are clowns and do some crazy things like swimming into powerhead currents. I call it their treadmill workout.>> What could be causing the white patches? I thought of marine velvet but I was unable to find pictures to compare and I'm pretty visual but it doesn't sound like it would be that. <<Fish can get some weird benign things that spontaneously go away. Do keep an eye on him though, if you notice rapid breathing and the white patches look like the slime coat is coming off odds are that your clown has brook (clownfish disease) and you will need to treat him and the angel with formalin immediately.>> Oh ammonia, nitrate, nitrite were 0, salinity was 1.025, temp was 82. Sorry this was so long and thank you!! <<TravisM>> 

Clownfish fighting - 10/12/05 Hello, <<Hola>> Well I have a question that has a lot to it, so I will describe the situation. <<A good description always helps.>> I have a 75 gal aquarium with a bubble tip anemone and a Sebae anemone. A percula clown (8 dorsal spines) <<This still may be an A. Ocellaris as their fin ray counts over-lap.>> that I have lives in the Sebae. It is a large dominant female that used to have a mate but he committed suicide and jumped out of the tank. She is very aggressive, and territorial. My hand is always bleeding, in multiple spots, when I'm done cleaning the aquarium. <<You might want to try feeding her once in a while. Just kidding of course. The little orange shark would eat your hand even with a full stomach.>> It has been about 2 months since the male died and I purchased two black ocellaris clowns for the tank. <<Uh Oh>> I was under the impression that the two black clowns would stay together and stay in the bubble tip, or just stay away from the female and her Sebae. One of the clowns was being viciously attacked for hours before I moved him into my refugium, but the other one is doing just fine, I guess. <<This is extremely typical.>> The percula seems to have chosen this one to be a mate or something. <<Sure sounds like it.>> They stay in the same corner of the tank and have occasional fights that end up with one turning sideways and vibrating at the other. <<That is their submission dance.>> Do you know what's going on? <<Yup>> Is it even possible to breed them? <<It sure is.>> What would you suggest doing with the clowns? <<If you truly want to breed clowns I say separate them into two tanks and have a pair of A. Perculas and a pair of black A. Ocellaris. If you want to breed a mixed species that will not sell well or just want to have an orange and a black clown in one tank, let them be and return the odd man out to your local fish store.>> Thanks for any help you can give me.. Dan  <<TravisM>> 

Multiple Clowns Fighting - 10/9/05 Hi, <<Hello>> I have a question concerning my (4) ocellaris clowns. <<I bet you do.>> I placed them in my tank, all at the same time, although I'm aware that after two pair off there may be fighting. <<Actually it will be worse before they pair off.>> I was told at the LFS that if all introduced at the same time should be o.k.. <<Aren't we all?>> It's weird, when the white lights + blue lights are on, they get along fine, when the moon lights go on, same scenario, but when I have only the blue lights on for dawn/dusk they start to fight, then when I put on the white lights they stop fighting and are fine all day.  My tank specs, 72 gallon bowfront, about 3 months old. Over 100 pounds live rock, 4" DSB, LifeReef sump and skimmer, 4 clowns, 2 yellow tangs, 1 lawnmower blenny, and lots of life brought in as hitchhikers (worms, snails, black urchins, lots of critters, still unidentified). << Four clowns and two yellow tangs... Your tank should be a regular battle royale. You may want to think about removing one of those tangs in the near future as even one will be too big for that tank eventually.>> So why do my clowns only fight when the blue lights (only) are on? <<Clowns didn't get their name because they wear a red nose and big floppy shoes, they do some funny things. Odds are they are fighting at that time because it is the time they would be deciding who sleeps where. It is a "who wears the pants in this family" thing. This is actually a warm up to the struggles for power that you are sure to witness soon enough.>> Thanks, all my (saltwater) education came from reading your site. Dolly <<TravisM>>  10/9/05 - Clownfish Question 10/10/05 Hi All, <<Hello,>> Sorry Again to keep sending emails. <<It is always better to ask questions than to make needless mistakes.>> I've been looking through the Clownfish behavior articles on the site but haven't found anything to related to my issue. When I got my two percula clownfish, they were happy, ate swam together etc... Now, the clowns seem a bit less "funny" than usual. <<You know what you call a clown that has lost it's sense of humor don't you? A mime!>> Call me an overprotective parent, but the female for the most part is still happy and eats and swims around. <<That is good.>> However, my male whom I had thought had a parasite or sickness, which I have concluded he does not because I have no visible evidence to believe so, just seems kind of depressed. <<As far as "visible" evidence are you referring to rapid breathing, sunken stomach, white stringy feces, or what were you looking for exactly?>> He actually wont eat the Tetra marine flakes I offer and I'm not sure when he decided to stop eating. <<Have you tried live or frozen foods?>> He really only hangs out by the fake anemone, isn't really as active with his partner as before, stays kind of away from her and just seems upset. <<Is she picking on him or leaving him be?>> He wont even dart around the tank like he would occasionally. Everything seems to be in this slow depressed style with my clown. I just want him to eat something because I would be awfully upset if I lost him. My two yellow tailed damsel fish are no longer in the tank. So attendance is: 2 Perc. Clowns 1 Pink Damsel 1 Cleaner Shrimp 1-Chocolate Chip Starfish I have searched and searched and I apologize if there was something related to my situation, but I couldn't find it. <<Keep your chin up. TravisM>> 

Ocellaris issue 10/9/05 Hi  <Hello Simon> I purchased a tank bred ocellaris with a matched up BTA on the weekend.  Almost immediately after acclimatizing the clownfish, he went straight to the anemone. He has never really ventured outside of a small area of the anemone. Also I have noticed that the clown fish is constantly opening and closing his mouth. I guess this cannot be good news :( <Any spots, fungus growth? If not, I wouldn't worry right now.> He is eating normally and appears to be swimming normally and curious in nature. This is the only fish in the tank. What should I do? Can I treat him somehow? Your help would be much appreciated!  <Simon says do not treat fish unless you know the specific disease:) Let's do this first, if any disease is present at all. James (Salty Dog)>  Tomato Clown Behavior  10/4/05 Hello Crew, Thank you for your very useful info regarding my Featherduster.  He's looking mighty fine these days.  But I have a question about my tomato clown. I have 120 gal, lots of live rock and sand, some coral, a percula clown, yellow tang, sleeping goby, eyelash blenny, a couple of damsels and some hermit crabs.  When I got the tomato, he did all of the usual tomato things:  commandeer the anemone away from the percula, chased away anything that came near the food, etc.  His "fondness" for the anemone killed it. <Well-stated> Since then, he's just been swimming around like normal.  All was well when he just "disappeared" one day.  He was out of sight for 2 days then just appeared one morning looking pretty beat up.  I have no idea where he was hiding, but his little wounds looked like abrasions (maybe he was trapped?). <Possibly> Anyway, he was acting just like normal and eating like a pig.  In the last couple of days he's been swimming strangely.  He kind of hovers in position with his head pointed straight up, kind of like he's standing on his tail.  He'll do that for awhile then start swimming around like normal.  Then he hovers again then starts swimming like normal again.  Is this normal or is he feeling ill?  Thanks in advance for your help. <Very good description... it does sound like this is a wild-caught specimen that is internally parasitized (very common)... it may cure on its own (doubtful), or you could attempt a cure... by feeding it foods laced with Metronidazole/Flagyl, and possibly a vermifuge if it's eating... these compounds, use, are covered on WWM. Bob Fenner> Re: clownfish aggression  9/22/05 Oh, and sorry, one more thing They are not constantly this way.  Now they seem to tolerate each other with no aggression.  Its just occasionally. They swim around each other and in the same anemone. Thanks, Ted <Not atypical. Bob Fenner>