Clownfish clearing debris off barebottom floor

[president89]

Hi, I've had some clowns from juvenile to spawning in the past, and don't recall this happening. My two clowns will swim rapidly in place to clear fallen food off the bottom of my glass tank. It's not the submission dance 'epileptic dance', I know what that looks like. They aren't noticably picking at the glass as if they were clearing a place to spawn either. Anyone see this before?

 

[BonsaiNut]

I don't know exactly what's going on because I haven't seen it in person, but clowns will definitely fan a spot to clear it of sand or debris. Probably a pre-spawning behavior but sometimes I think they are just being ornery. I have seen large females, in particular, tear the crap out of a tank if they don't like the way things are arranged - and it has nothing to do with a spawning surface. Maroons and large tomatoes will sometimes create "snowstorms" if they don't like the substrate - blowing out an extensive crater around their host anemone.

 

[UCaggie]

My female clown will periodically headbutt/fan things, especially if I move frags around anywhere she'll immediately investigate.

 

[SwampyBill]

My b/w clowns would do that & fan out a crater near their nem. I always hoped it was pre-spawning behavior, but they never laid eggs.

 

[FDdragon]

yup, mine would do the same. just clean a spot and hang out. no spawning or anything, just housekeeping I guess.

 

[worm5406]

Take a video, let others see what you are talking about.

Mine have done it too, but no eggs here either. Maybe they are practicing at playing house? Or something/someone spooked them from this new place.