Clownfish laying on the sand

Nor127 · 10/10/2014, 05:02 PM

Hi. Two weeks ago I purchased a large clownfish and a algea blenny. These were my two first fish. The clown has from day 1 been very active. It had been swimming from side to side all day long. Never even touched the sand. Today I bought a second clown. A much smaller one. From the second the smaller clown entered the tank, the large clown changed its behavior. It is now much calmer. Always swimming side by side with the other one. No aggression at all

I guess this is normal clown behavior?

But some hours later, right before I turned off the light, the large clown started laying on the sand in the corner of the tank with the smaller clown swimming right next to it. Should I be worried? Or is the normal behavior?

All my parameters are in order.

Also, whats the main signs for sick clowns?

Im new to saltwater tanks and I appreciate all answers

Thanks!

Stevenliu9 · 10/10/2014, 06:42 PM

What kind of clown are they? do you know if they are captive bred or wild?
some clowns tend to like to hangout in a corner of the tank, but for me that's always been the upper corner of tank never the sand bed. Do you have an anemone for the clown to host?

sc50964 · 10/10/2014, 07:42 PM

Nor127, you probably want to pay close attention to the clowns. It's not usual for clowns to lay on the sand for no reason. Watch for discoloration, spots, any fin damage, loss of appetite..., or maybe just take a picture or a video and post it.

Nor127 · 10/11/2014, 04:32 AM

They are Ocellaris. The large one is wild. I have no anemone, but I have bought a coral for them. Just waiting for it to open. I cant see any signs of sickness and they eat as they should. The large clown just seems to be resting on the sand for short periods. It has found the place with the least current and kind of chills there for some seconds and then swims around for a bit. Could it just be lazy? It seems to choose the same spot every time so im hoping that its just hosting the spot

Stevenliu9 · 10/11/2014, 09:14 AM

Did you quarantine them at all? Just wondering if there is a possibility of disease since the large one is wild. How's your lighting? Perhaps you should consider adding a rose bubble anemone (easiest anemone to keep) and see if the big guy would host it?

Betta132 · 10/11/2014, 02:50 PM

Just resting? Probably okay. Clowns are weird.
A small public aquarium near us has a clownfish that hosts (I kid you not) a hole under a rock. People ask if it's trapped, but nope, it just likes being under there.

Stevenliu9 · 10/11/2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betta132

Just resting? Probably okay. Clowns are weird.
A small public aquarium near us has a clownfish that hosts (I kid you not) a hole under a rock. People ask if it's trapped, but nope, it just likes being under there.

Love it! Some clowns likes to host things other than anemone- Some common ones are lps, rare ones are clams, and I think hosting a hole brings this one to a whole new level

AkoAung · 10/12/2014, 06:35 AM

I have a clown that likes to lay on a bed of GSP all day. ALL DAY! the dude is a lazy bum! He's the male of a pair. Once I moved them to a bigger tank no GSP. One day I found him laying on the side in the sand. thought he was dead. NOPE. He just likes to LOUNGE. He only becomes active when food's there or its time to sleep. then he gets busy with his lady LOL.

oh you'd be jelly. He stays skinny despite just eating and not doing a thing all day! It's his faithful lady who keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Barracuda68 · 10/12/2014, 08:04 AM

When i first got my clowns, one of them dug a hole in the sand on the first and second night by the glass. Then they slowly found an upper corner to move to at night. Just keep an eye on them. They just might be aclimating.

claireputput · 10/12/2014, 11:07 AM

Hi, I have never seen this behavior out of my two clowns. However, clowns do have a mind of their own. Like others have said, just keep an eye on them.

10/10/2014, 05:02 PM	#1
Nor127 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 4	Clownfish laying on the sand Hi. Two weeks ago I purchased a large clownfish and a algea blenny. These were my two first fish. The clown has from day 1 been very active. It had been swimming from side to side all day long. Never even touched the sand. Today I bought a second clown. A much smaller one. From the second the smaller clown entered the tank, the large clown changed its behavior. It is now much calmer. Always swimming side by side with the other one. No aggression at all I guess this is normal clown behavior? But some hours later, right before I turned off the light, the large clown started laying on the sand in the corner of the tank with the smaller clown swimming right next to it. Should I be worried? Or is the normal behavior? All my parameters are in order. Also, whats the main signs for sick clowns? Im new to saltwater tanks and I appreciate all answers Thanks!

10/11/2014, 02:50 PM	#6
Betta132 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 2,239	Just resting? Probably okay. Clowns are weird. A small public aquarium near us has a clownfish that hosts (I kid you not) a hole under a rock. People ask if it's trapped, but nope, it just likes being under there. __________________ When you put an animal of any kind in a situation where it can no longer fend for itself, such as an aquarium, it's your job to care for it to the best of your ability. It's that simple.

10/12/2014, 08:04 AM	#9
Barracuda68 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Ma Posts: 63	When i first got my clowns, one of them dug a hole in the sand on the first and second night by the glass. Then they slowly found an upper corner to move to at night. Just keep an eye on them. They just might be aclimating. __________________ 55 gallon display tank. 20 gallon sump. 1000 gph quietflow pump. Jebao wp-25 wave maker. 55lb dry rock, 3lb live rock. 50 lb sand. T-5ho 4 bulb light 4' Current Tank Info: 55 gallon display, 20 gallon sump, 55 lb rock, 45 lb sand, 1000gph return pump, jebao wavemaker, t5 4 bulb light

10/10/2014, 06:42 PM	#2
Stevenliu9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Madison WI Posts: 795	What kind of clown are they? do you know if they are captive bred or wild? some clowns tend to like to hangout in a corner of the tank, but for me that's always been the upper corner of tank never the sand bed. Do you have an anemone for the clown to host?

10/10/2014, 07:42 PM	#3
sc50964 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 1,022	Nor127, you probably want to pay close attention to the clowns. It's not usual for clowns to lay on the sand for no reason. Watch for discoloration, spots, any fin damage, loss of appetite..., or maybe just take a picture or a video and post it.

10/11/2014, 04:32 AM	#4
Nor127 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 4	They are Ocellaris. The large one is wild. I have no anemone, but I have bought a coral for them. Just waiting for it to open. I cant see any signs of sickness and they eat as they should. The large clown just seems to be resting on the sand for short periods. It has found the place with the least current and kind of chills there for some seconds and then swims around for a bit. Could it just be lazy? It seems to choose the same spot every time so im hoping that its just hosting the spot

10/11/2014, 09:14 AM	#5
Stevenliu9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Madison WI Posts: 795	Did you quarantine them at all? Just wondering if there is a possibility of disease since the large one is wild. How's your lighting? Perhaps you should consider adding a rose bubble anemone (easiest anemone to keep) and see if the big guy would host it?

10/12/2014, 06:35 AM	#8
AkoAung aka -iDestroya- Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 507	I have a clown that likes to lay on a bed of GSP all day. ALL DAY! the dude is a lazy bum! He's the male of a pair. Once I moved them to a bigger tank no GSP. One day I found him laying on the side in the sand. thought he was dead. NOPE. He just likes to LOUNGE. He only becomes active when food's there or its time to sleep. then he gets busy with his lady LOL. oh you'd be jelly. He stays skinny despite just eating and not doing a thing all day! It's his faithful lady who keeps getting bigger and bigger.

10/12/2014, 11:07 AM	#10
claireputput Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 53	Hi, I have never seen this behavior out of my two clowns. However, clowns do have a mind of their own. Like others have said, just keep an eye on them.