Do clownfish get lazy with age?

[Featherdusters]

I have had my clownfish for about 5 years now. I got her when she was a small baby clown. I remember her being super active and interested in everything and exploring the tank the first 3 years. Now she is super lazy and just kinda of floats in one spot. She doesn't host to anything in the tank so I am not sure if that is part of it. I doubt its a sickness because she acts young when feeding time happens or when she wants to protect her "spot" (she loves to try to bite my hand). I have tried to encourage more active behavior by changing the aquascape (several times), daylight hours, temperature, and changing food, but she is still very lazy. Anyone have this same experience? How old are you clowns and how do they act most of the time?

 

[thereeftank]

sorry, can't help you, but wondering how long do clowns live in general?

 

[Featherdusters]

sorry, can't help you, but wondering how long do clowns live in general?

I believe it depends on the clown species. Due to the many commons factors that cause death (broken equipment, bad parameters, accidents such as jumping) many clowns don't make it past 7 years in captivity. However I have heard of clownfish living up to 20 years. I remember seeing a true perc in a fish store. It was 15+. It definitely looked its age too. The fish was very large and even had wrinkles towards the face. The stripes also didn't blend as smoothly as it does in young clowns. To me, my clownfish looks very young still. I always wanted to see more pictures of clownfish over 12 years.

 

[Genin]

At a local fish store that is no longer open they had a Perc that was supposedly 17 years old and it was huge. I was suprised at just how large she was, never saw one bigger, even in pictures. Didn't seem super active but appeared healthy.

 

[Reefvette]

They are comfortable and safe.

 

[crvz]

I would suggest that the activity you experienced in the first 3 years of having that fish were the exception. I've found that they usually just hang out in a very specific spot in the tank once they settle into an environment, not exploring as you describe.

 

[PCFisher66]

She's seen the whole tank, and now she doesn't want to travel! Some days I don't feel like walking around my house either, of course I'm lazy on those days.

 

[Featherdusters]

She's seen the whole tank, and now she doesn't want to travel! Some days I don't feel like walking around my house either, of course I'm lazy on those days.

lol! I guess clownfish are like cats. They are so cute and adorable and active when they are young, but then they turn into lazy things that take naps and have an attitude problem. I miss my young tiny clown. I also noticed it takes a long time for her to "wake up" from her naps during the day. She looks dead because she likes to float towards the top on her side. Whenever people come over I will gently "push" the water by her so she floats towards the back and out of view so people don't think I have dead fish.