Clown pacing along glass - video clip

[Vitaly]

I just finished setting up/cycling a 65 gallon system. I have a mis-barred clown and 6-line wrasse since early this year. Previously they were living in a 30 gallon system (and briefly in a 15 gallon).

Last night, at around 5 pm, I transferred them into the 65 gallon. Both finished behaved normally all evening swimming around exploring the new tank...until I went to bed around 2 am.

This morning I observed the clown quickly pacing around the outter edge of the tank...along the glass. Not back and forth along on side, but rather around all four sides.

I posted a short video clip here (5 megs):

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/stepensk/shared/Clown1.MPG

He never displayed this type of behavior. Normally he scutes along very leisurely in the middle of the tank.

He does not apear to have any signs of physical trauma on his body and he does not appear to be breathing rapidly. The wrasse looks fine, just cruising within the live rock.

Has anybody seen this behavior before? Is this normal and does it suggest something is going in with the tank or the fish?

Thanks for your comments.

 

[Rich_Lucas]

My female does that all the time. The way she acts I always assumed she was seeing her reflection and trying to attack herself. Of course I assume this because she is very aggressive and always attacks me when I put my hand in the tank.

 

[GSMguy]

they do this when they are in a new enviroment

 

[Vitaly]

<B>Rich_Lucas</B> I do not think that they are able to see a reflection in the glass. If you look straight through (via the persepctive of a fish)...there wold not be a reflection. There is from a sharp angle...but I do not think that the eye of the fish would be able to resolve that.

Again, the issue is that this clown was always a very melow swimmer, not very active...crusing the tank at a lesiurely pace.

<B>GSMguy</B>, could you comment on how long it normally continues? I imagine that at some point the active swimming searching subsides. The clown does appear to be a little more settled since Saturday when I introduced it to the 65 gallon.

Fortunately, both the clown and wrasse appear healthy, are eating and swimming throughout the tank. Thus, I am no longer worried that this behavior was brought about due to something in the water chemistry.

Thanks again for your comments.

 

[reefD]

my oppinion is that it looks like a territory run. he is searching out any other clowns to banish from its area or excepting in its area. i would add a mate asap. clowns benefit in pairs.

 

[Reef4Fun]

I agree, a territory run/getting acquanted with new suroundings.

 

[Vitaly]

<B>Reef4Fun & reefD (nice to see you on here again)</B>...that is a very interesting observation. This 65 gallon is the largest tank the clown has been in, to my knowledge. I obtained this fish from a girl who had him in a 25 gallon. I then moved the clown into my 30 gallon...and obviously now the 65 gallon.

I have wanted to get a 2nd clown into the system, however, have not done extensive research into the matter. I understand that clowns can be very territorial and aggressive with other clowns/con-specifics. So if I were to introduce a second clown I need to make sure it is a bigger individual, correct?

Are there any additional factors that I can prepare for (ie. gender)...could you provide some suggestions/clarification?

By the way, in case it is of importance, this is a misbarred ocellaris.