Clown behavior

[AquariumChick]

Does anyone know why a Maroon clown would get down very close to the sand and wave its side fins and tail very quickly causing depressions in the sand. She has been doing this since yesterday, "digging" around the bottom of 2 of my rocks.

 

[ezhoops]

Sure, because its something that 90% of Maroons do and it drives us nuts. Good luck

not too much to stop it except maybe have an anem somewhere high up in tank or go Bare Bottom

 

[AquariumChick]

ok, this is my first clown and I've had her about 2 months and just never saw it before. She probably waits til I go to sleep at night...

 

[St.james of reefdom]

Good Question,I am not sure of the behaviour either.
My Bicinctus pair, primarily my female will do the same thing. The anemones and any coral within a close proximity get covered with sand..

 

[rareclownfish]

I had a GSM that did that all the time she was about 5" I had to give her away to a friend. She wouldn't leave the sand alone.
RCF

 

[RLMainers]

Usually they do this as a sign of aggression towards you or other fish. Or, sometimes they do it to make room around their home (anemone) if they have one.
I think it's funny to watch them do it.

 

[AquariumChick]

Well, I don't have an anenome. And basically she is alone in the tank with 2 chromis that she's been rooming with since we got her. I hope she gets over it, I wouldn't want to give her away. I guess she can just keep making her sandstorms and we'll see what happens. By the way, she likes me so I know it's not aggression toward me We'll see how she acts when I add some more fish.

 

[ezhoops]

most likley she will not stop, sorry

 

[SEAFLOWERS]

I had a pair of GSM for along time and they never, ever stopped.
LOL.

 

[ezhoops]

its very annoying, thats the reason why I don't keep maroons anymore and I really love them.

 

[mikersx02]

my dad has a clown that does this- it kicks up the sand and then goes and eats all the critters it kicked up. The other fish in the tank wait for it to do this so they can get a snack. Last time I was at his house- I saw it do that 5 times in an hour.

 

[AquariumChick]

so are you saying your dad's clown was hungry?

 

[CanesDave]

Clowns are always hungry

 

[mikersx02]

That clown is huge- 4 inches long and about .75 inches thick- I am not even quite sure what species it is- looks to be a seabae-- but not certain.

 

[MX6import]

Ya my female clown is a fatty and she never eats enough. plus she always chases the male. and also does that thing in the sand. I just got a anemone and she does it right under it now. and she used to do it before when I was adding new fish all the time. I'm pretty sure it a territorial thing to almost mark her spot.

 

[AquariumChick]

Thanks for everyones input. I guess I will see what happens.