Clown and Anemone - Strange or Not

[Cement Mule]

I have a couple of questions and observations about Clowns and Anemone and behaviour. I started a small 29G Biocube about 2 months ago.. live rocks, corals and some CUC members. For my first fish I added two Percula Clowns. The first two days, the clowns stayed in the front of the tank near the bottom, but were in the open On the third day, they moved to the back of the tank, at the top of the water near the water return... they seem fine, eating, just not moving around the tank. The LFS said they may be afraid of getting eaten and that adding another fish or an anemone might make them more secure. I added a Chalk Basslet and a bubble tip anemone. They are not as scared, but will not venture near the live rock... if I put my hand in the tank... they larger of the two attacks my hand.

Now for the anemone... I added the bubble tip on Saturday... he has been moving around the tank, but last night he went into one of the caverns of the live rock. He is attached to the ceiling, upside down. but he is not getting any light. I hate to move him and stress him more... I moved him once before when he got into a crevice. Should I just let him stay a few days and see if he moves into the light. I tried to feed him a piece of shrimp, but my cinnamon shrimp stole it from the bubble tip.

Just wanting to know if this is common behavior.. the clowns are eating, just not social and they will attack if I enter their space. The clowns have been in the tank for two weeks.

 

[nuttyd]

It is common. Clowns will pick a spot in the tank and stay close. Usually where the lowest flow is. Try turning down the flow to get them out and about. Bubble anemone should move back into the light on its own in time. Would still try to target feed if possible.

 

[Cement Mule]

Since I could not get the bubble tip to take the shrimp, and the fact that my cinnamon shrimp were stealing it, I did use some Coral Food.. very fine powder food that I mixed with water and used a turkey baster to shoot some food at the BT... it seemed to like that, and swelled up. the coral food is called Coral Frenzy and Reef Roids. I know the anemone is not a coral, but it was the best I could do.. and where he is located know, it will be impossible to target feed, but I can try the coral foods again. Thanks for your reply

 

[nuttyd]

Trick is to feed the shrimp first so the anemone has enough time to close. try using a bamboo skewer or piece of wire to feed through the holes.

 

[Cement Mule]

I will try that... those shrimp can smell food before it hits the water... they come flying out from the rocks. The anemone was still under the rock this morning... will see if he moves today when the lights come on. I know he will not survive without some light, but I do hate to stress him out... but if he does not come out by Friday, I will have to take action. I used tweezers the last time to try an target feed... he never really closed... and I tried to fend the shrimp off, but they finally came and stole the food. Between the shrimp attacking the food and the clown attacking me, that tank is a dangerous place to put your hand!!

 

[ForeverNoob]

Are the clowns still in the same corner?

 

[lifeoffaith]

My anemone disappeared when I did a lights out period for half a day. I had a few days early done a lights out period for a little longer. I have no idea where he went and I'm a little worried he'll die and kill the tank. I assume he'll come back out for the light as soon as he has to have it, but I have no idea where he is, so I can't really do anything to try to get him back out. My tank has been taking a dive lately, I'm just hoping I can make it come back and that he'll also show back up somewhere. I suppose it's possible he's behind one of the rocks in the back and still getting enough light and I just can't see him. I hope that's the case.

 

[nuttyd]

usually when an anemone goes, they end up on the sand in a ball. You can then pick them up since they are detached.

Again, target feed the shrimp a big piece of food before you try to feed the anemone. The shrimp will go back to his corner and enjoy the dinner and leave the anemone alone.

 

[Cement Mule]

The clowns are staying near the top of the water against the back wall (the back wall of the tank is black)... they come out a little more now than they did before I added the third fish or the anemone, but only when the chalk basslet is swimming and they will get closer to investigate... they eat fine, they don't seem stressed, except they stay near the top of the tank, and don't explore the entire aquarium.... and as I have said, if I put my hand in the water to move a rock or for any reason, the larger clown will come an "nip" at my hand, like he is protecting the tank.

 

[lifeoffaith]

A couple thoughts on your clowns. I have an Aquapod which is much like the Biocube. Mine also stay near the back/top. Clowns establish a territory, and some are much more protective of it. Most likely they are protecting their territory from your big scary hand. They also get even more protective once they start preparing for (and especially when they finally do) laying eggs. Depending on how long they've been together, they may just be preparing for that and being more protective for that reason. Mine have been pretty cool with other fish in the tank, but they will chase them away from the back of the tank from time to time.

 

[Cement Mule]

I have had the two clowns around three weeks... not sure how long they were at the LFS where I purchased them. Yep, same place... top, back of the tank where the back wall is black, and they stay right around where the water return is located. The larger one will come down near the live rock on occasion, but goes back to the top pretty quick. The smaller one only leaves that corner of the tank when I feed them... they eat like they are starved. They don't mess with the Chalk Basslet and it does not bother them at all. Only other things in the tank are four peppermint shrimp, one sea urchin and a few snails and blue leg hermits. I just wish I could enjoy them more since they don't enjoy the tank.

 

[Cement Mule]

Well the BT was still upside down under the rock back in a cave as of this morning... I had to disturb the anemone, but I know he will needs light so I plan move him this afternoon if he does not come out while I am at work. I check the water and all parameters are good... just don't think it is healthy to not get some light.

 

[Deefish714]

I would suggest you let the BTA do its own things as I'm sure you have heard from many of us here on RC. Your doing more damage by disturbing the anemone. IMO i've had anemones do weird stuff and I just let them be. Id do the same if I were you. Cut up some silvershad and give it a mouth size piece.

 

[Cement Mule]

Thanks... he does seem healthy... so I will give him a few days... as long as I can see he is expanding, then I know he is OK