Clown biting behavior?

[alten78]

Good evening all!

I have a pair of black percs that I noticed today acting odd, they both seem to be biting at the back of the tank There is a nice size patch of coraline algae down by the sand between rock and glass that I cannot reach to clean off which is very close to where the clowns stay the majority of the time. Lately, they've been digging a big hole in the sand right next to this spot on the glass where you can clearly see that they have actually got through the coraline to the glass. Its a fairly thick spot of coraline since i haven't gotten to that spot in a quite some time, plus they attack if i do try so i said screw it and left it so far.

any thoughts?

 

[vidson]

Clowns are always crazy, They are always checking out stuff.

 

[Toddrtrex]

How long have you had them?

It could very well be some pre-spawning cleaning. Each time any of my clowns first started to spawn they would clean off a spot to lay the eggs. Keep an eye on that spot, and one day you just might find some eggs there.

If they do lay eggs, don't be surprised if they end up eating them --- it is fairly common for that to happen to newly spawning clowns with their first batch or two of eggs.

 

[alten78]

thanks guys. have had the one for a couple years now, the other i got as a very small juvi....probably about 6 months if not earlier. ill keep an eye on the spot!

 

[rkelman]

I agree this is exactly what they would do if they were going to lay eggs. What makes me suspect it especially is the fact that they are biting at coraline which is a nice rough surface that is perfect for laying eggs on. It may be days it may be weeks but my bet is you are going to see some eggs. Please let us know in this thread if it happens.

 

[Arati]

I also agree that in most case's its prespawn behavior.

I think if you fish are the black variant of A.polymnus it could just be them chewing the coraline.

My Pair do it all the time and its not a nest cleaning behavior they do it all over the place. I belive they are eating the coraline or some algea that is associated with it from the glass. It is funny to see !

 

[alten78]

You guys are good, looked into the tank this afternoon to find a nest of eggs in that spot against the glass. Ive had clowns for quite some time but have never seen eggs, very exciting

 

[nauticac4]

Sounds like your gonna have some babies. My maroon pair laid a few days ago. Its very exciting, wish I had what I needed to raise them.

 

[rkelman]

I looooove being right

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15738626#post15738626 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rkelman
I looooove being right

Yea, but I posted about it being spawning behavior first.

 

[rkelman]

Hmm.. so you did... You get a gold star