Clownfish problems

[OsiViper]

I have a 14g Biocube with a pair of ocellaris clowns as well as a few corals, tank has been up for about 6 months.

Recently came back from a month away, had family feeding tank while I was gone. Came back to very low Alk, Cal and MG. And my corals didn't look really happy. Since then I had been doing fairly frequent water changes as well as dosing some Baking soda, calcium and magnesium to get parameters in check.

Got the tank parameters back in check, but my male clownfish has been acting a bit strange. Tends to hide a lot, either in back of the tank in a lower flow area or in the rock-work. Recently tonight I saw what I thought was him trying to scratch his backside on the rock-work. I have been trying to look him over ever since I've noticed him acting differently but I don't see anything that looks like Ich, Brook or any parasites taking a ride.

He eats just fine, no loss of appetite or energy during feeding time.

 

[OsiViper]

Anyone have any ideas? There hasn't been anything new introduced to the tank in a long time.

The 2 Clowns were in a QT tank for about 40 days treated with prazipro, then moved into 34g display tank. About 3 months later they were moved into a 14g biocube and that's where they have been since.

Only recent addition is a power head since I was getting some algae and had poor flow. Have tried turning powerhead off, but he still hides. And I haven't seen him try to rub up against anything or scratch today at all.

 

[UNCsalt]

good clean water, check levels and observe. Might have been a swing in ph level so should be ok with time. I would just keep an eye on him. If he acts lethargic or keeps flashing, heavy breathing then would take action

 

[ThRoewer]

Do they have an anemone or any other home?
If not, that may be the issue. I would try adding an appropriately sized ceramic flower pot and see if the behavior changes.

 

[OsiViper]

Well it appears the reason the male is hiding all the time is the female keeps chasing him off. The male does his little "submission" shake but the female will keep chasing the male causing him to hide in a rock or in the back of the tank.

However during and shortly after feeding this doesn't happen.

 

[ThRoewer]

That's normal in the beginning.
I still suggest to add something that functions as a surrogate anemone.

Another thing that can speed up them pairing up is adding a 3rd clown. Nothing bonds more than a common enemy. Though since that one will likely get killed in the process I would suggest to see if you can get one from a breeder that normally would be culled.
The other option is to add a damsel fish which will serve the same function but is likely to survive it.

 

[OsiViper]

That's normal in the beginning.
I still suggest to add something that functions as a surrogate anemone.

Another thing that can speed up them pairing up is adding a 3rd clown. Nothing bonds more than a common enemy. Though since that one will likely get killed in the process I would suggest to see if you can get one from a breeder that normally would be culled.
The other option is to add a damsel fish which will serve the same function but is likely to survive it.

This really isn't the beginning though, they have been together for almost 10 months now

 

[dforlenza]

I had a similar issue... I had 2 clowns together (with other species of fish) in my 45 gallon DT for about 5 months. I moved the 2 clowns into a 14 gallon biocube, they (the smaller male in particular) was being chased and nipped buy some of the bigger damsels. all was well for a few weeks, then the bigger clown (I'm assuming the female) started going after the other. To the point that they both would swim in circles so fast it was just a blur. It would be constant for 3 to 10 seconds at a time.

I tried putting each one in its own little tank inside the cube for a day at a time, I tired separation with bubbles. They kept going back to the aggressive behavior within a few hours. I ended up moving the bigger clown back into my big tank once it started nipping the others tail. All has been good since.

Hopefully you have better luck than me.

 

[OsiViper]

Well hopefully soon (as soon as IM sends out my new tank) the they will be moved into a IM 40g nuvo tank so they won't be so cramped