Clowns acting Very Strange! HELP!

[blueweb]

Hi. I'm new to the forum and I have a problem. My two clowns are acting very strange all of a sudden. I have had them for about 3 months and everything was great with them until about 4 days ago. They are staying very close to one another in the back of the tank and not coming out or moving a lot. They haven't eaten for 4 days that I can see and the larger of the two seams to have lost his "balance". He rolls on his side like he is laying on the rock/sand and then goes upright again. He doesn't look like he is scratching or rubbing on anything and both fish look very healthy. Very good color and all their fins look great. I don't know what is wrong or if this is something normal with them.

here is my setup: 75 gallon tank with 55gallon sump setup, Fluval 404 filter, powerhead, dual 300watt heaters running @ 78-80 degrees. All water tests are perfect and salinity is 1.022. the tank is 5 months old.

All the other fish are acting just fine and appear healthy. I have 3 yellow tangs, a green chromis, blue damsel, yellow damsel, neon dottyback, a chocolate chip starfish, a hermit crab, several snails, and some pollups.

I would love to hear anyones input. Thanks

[RazerCorals]

There is another post on this going on, but I don't think you should be alarmed here is the link. http://www.reeflounge.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2924 . It's even in the same forum.

[blueweb]

but their not shaking. i read this one before i posted but it doesn't seam the same. you think it could be just some mating thing?

[AWestphal]

IMO, the fish may feel a little crowded in that tank with 3 tangs. Are they being hasseled by the damsels or other fish? They may be eating what goes back to them, with the water movement.

Hope this Helps,

AJ~

[EastBaySF]

I have a similar diversity in my tank, just fewer of each (1 tang, 1 damsel, 1 clown & 1 blenny). Your clowns' behavior is similar to mine, but mine only does this when the lights are out for the night... kind of his "sleep mode." Otherwise it is, more or less, buddies with the damsel. He hasn't really investigated the anemone, but it has only been in the 'hood for about 3 weeks.

:!: Ah! Has anyone studied, or is there such a thing as, fish psychology? What I'm thinking is that these particular fish, prior to their current home, may have had an anemone friend. The behavior you describe sounds a little like the behavior of the clowns when they are "in" the anemone... not moving, turning to their side, etc. If this is where they felt safe they could be trying to return to that safe space... just without the benefit of the anemone.

Sorry, I've been told before I think about some of these things a little too much. But I wouldn't be surprised if there is something to this idea.

[phistio]

My two clowns are acting very strange all of a sudden. I have had them for about 3 months and everything was great with them until about 4 days ago. They are staying very close to one another in the back of the tank and not coming out or moving a lot. They haven't eaten for 4 days that I can see and the larger of the two seems to have lost his "balance". He rolls on his side like he is laying on the rock/sand and then goes upright again. He doesn't look like he is scratching or rubbing on anything and both fish look very healthy. Very good color and all their fins look great. I don't know what is wrong or if this is something normal with them.



actually, believe it or not this sounds quite normal as to a paired mating ritual. one thought of clarity, the one larger who you assume is a he, more than likely is a she...as females are larger than the males. her turning sideways is a natural instinct for brooding near eggs. also, if they have indeed formed a true partnership, it's common for them to seek reclusion and not eat. these are signs that they may spawn. especially that you say their color is good! if the larger starts turning darker, you may consider isolating this pair in a seperate tank to bredd. however, changing their environment on them, may likely cause them to cease breeding.

best of luck! :wink: