Are my clown fish normal?

[Maaka]

I have 2 Percula clowns and all they do is hand around the top 3-4 inches of my tank day and night. I was just wondering if this is normal behavior of if there is something in my tank causing them to do it?

 

[rgauvin]

I added two clowns 2 weeks ago today, and they spend most of their time in the top half of the tank as well, I am trying to determine how I can encourage them to go lower and spend time near the liverock/structure but my tank is pretty new/barren, so maybe they are just bored...

 

[jbax]

what else do you have in the tank besides the clowns?

 

[Maaka]

Kole tang, pink shrimp goby, dragon goby, and a black chromis( he likes to dart out of the rock at them i think he might be the problem)

 

[mhowe9]

What size tank is it?

 

[Eastamherstbias]

Mine hang out in the top right corner of my 4x2x2 together. 1 inch from the top. I will get a picture tonight. I always thought it was weird.

 

[Maaka]

41 gallon its 24x18x22

 

[Maaka]

Is there anything I can do to lure them down? Should i get rid of the chromis? (I can if he's the problem I have no attachment to him.)

 

[westohooligan]

They may stay there for awhile if they're new. It is kind of like the new kid hanging back on the playground until they get comfortable; however, if they are spooked/stressed hanging around the the top can lead to a jump. Keep an eye on the black chromis if the harassment continues, you may have to decide who you like more.

 

[Maaka]

Ok thanks. Yeah they are new and very young, but they do not seemed to be stressed. They just cannot go more than halfway down without the chromis darting at them. I think I'll remove him and hopefully they become more adventurous.

 

[atreis]

Mine did that pretty much until they discovered the anemone... I think it's normal.

 

[Sytje1234]

I believe that is normal according to a place that was describing true percula's and the reading I've done on them. They swim at a higher level in the tank, probably around the top third of your tank. The more they get used to the tank, they might drift a little lower. I have had mine 5 months and they still use the top third and when feeding they'll dip down to lower areas. They're really fun to watch. Neat little faces on them. Enjoy!