clown fish hidden in back of tank

[jgalvin]

hi, i have a mated pair of true perc clownfish. A couple months ago i went to a larger tank and the pair decided to make a nest to lay their eggs in the very back behind a rock (and totally out of sight).

Their nest building (ie moving all my gravel) could destabilize my rocks, but my main issue is that they won't come out, ever, from behind the rocks in the back. I tried luring them out with food, etc but really they just stay back there and may be protecting their eggs. I'm about to give up on these guys and sell them as we never see them.

anyone had any success with similar behavior and getting them to move spots? thanks much in advance!

James

 

[DeathWish302]

Once the clowns pick a spot, the ONLY way to force a move is a complete new aquascape. Move some rocks around and see what happens. After some 11 years of dealing with these clown tendancies, I now make the structure visible in the back by means of rock cemented together with hydraulic cement and drilled rock with fiberglass rods. This at leasts allows easier viewing, but a majority of clowns I have had prefer a 'behind-the-scenes' home that is best viewable from the sides of the tank. Probably not what you wanted to hear....

If you have a sand bed, you should always make sure the base rock is touching the bottom of the tank when dealing with clowns. They love to dig and do it daily, so it only get's worse with age IME.

 

[jgalvin]

Frank, thanks for the reply! Yes, not what I wanted to hear, but what I feared. Last night i was so fed up a put a bunch of tonga branches where they are bedding, wow were they upset. I felt so guilty i ended up moving the rock after a few hours. They did not move from the spot but simple attached the tonga rocks (they actually moved one!).

They are very good specimens (bright colors, big, healthy). I'm thinking i may put one in the sump for a while and see what happens (again I will feel guilty), do you think separating them will help? Only other option (other than letting them be) is selling them :-(

Thanks again
James