Depressed clown

[PirateLove]

A week or two ago my favorite clownfish lost his partner. In the same few days I transferred him from a 15 gallon that he has been in for two years to a 42 gallon tank. With the loss of his partner and being taken away from his home he just swims in one spot in his frogspawn that was transferred over with him. He looks very sad. Is there anything I can do? He rarely comes out...

Thanks

 

[BrettDS]

To some extent I think that's just the nature of clowns. I have a pair in my 220 that live in a bubble tip anemone and they rarely leave the area around the anemone. The female leaves occasionally when the tank is fed, but the male stays within about 5 or 6 inches of the anemone at all times.

 

[Zalick]

My male did that after losing his female partner of 6 years. That was about 3 months ago. He's now growing and is probably female and just beginning to venture out again. I do think it was a "depression" of sorts.

 

[Fiver]

I think clowns do best in pairs. Mine use and love the entirety of their tank. I don't think they are one-spot fish at all when they're happy. I say: Get your fish a new mate.

 

[CindyK]

Mine weren't even a mature, mated pair when one jumped; the remaining clown still acted similarly. ( I even did a google search for "depressed clownfish" - you'd be surprised the number of hits). Now he (she?) has a new mate and all seems well in their little world. I think it's just how clowns are.

 

[Spiffy]

I guess this is why they are called "Clownfish". Lol! But now that you mention it, I do notice how close mine seem to be with each other... They pal around the tank together, never more that 8 inches from one another. And they are bullies when it comes to new fish on the block. They will pick on other fish for a short term, and then leave them alone. Except for other clowns... They normally don't survive.

 

[PirateLove]

Well guys. I bought a mate for my clown yesterday and his behavior immediate changed. They are now best friends!! Both swim all over the tank, top to bottom, side to side. I even witnessed tonight when I turned the lights off the new clown was lost and my original went and found him and brought him back to the frogspawn. I love clownfish! He is back to normal and looks very happy. =)

PS. Thanks to all who replied to my post.

 

[Fiver]

Well guys. I bought a mate for my clown yesterday and his behavior immediate changed. They are now best friends!! Both swim all over the tank, top to bottom, side to side. I even witnessed tonight when I turned the lights off the new clown was lost and my original went and found him and brought him back to the frogspawn. I love clownfish! He is back to normal and looks very happy. =)

PS. Thanks to all who replied to my post.

Awww... Sweet.