I think I hate my fish...

[DLANDINO]

My fish never leave the right side of my reef. I only have four fish, 2 clowns, a yellow tang and a watchman goby. The Goby is fine, goes all over the tank but the other three are constantly in the same location. All of my water parameters are perfect, well, I have a nitrate number of 20, but I don't think that is what is causing this issue. The come out briefly about 3 hrs after the lights turn on because they know I am about to feed them but then after dinner time they are back in the corner. Recently I have noticed that the larger of the two clowns is nipping at the smaller one. He never actually bits him, just goes for him with his mouth. The Tang does venture out a bit more often but not by much. So, I have spent about $3000.00 over the past 4 months for a tank that I can't enjoy the fish. HELP PLEASE. My corals are excellent but the fish need an intervention. Any suggestions? Thanks for reading.

Dave

 

[natan]

U hate yuor fish? Just think what they'd say about u! Yuor water flow is likely the problem, they can't stand it where u want them 2 go. BTW watchman all over the place is ubnormal, they should be at the borow entrance most of the time (does he even have a borow?)

 

[flameangel88]

I've a pair of GSM clowns and they like to stay in their cave most of the time. My YWG is under a rock with a lg pistol shrimp all the time and I only see it when I look from under the tank. A yellow tang shouldn't be hiding and it should be the boss in the tank. Just curious as to the size of your yel tang and how long have all the fishes been in the tank? Wow $3000 you must have some very expensive corals in there.

 

[BIG-G]

do you feed on the right side of the tank? Thats where i put food in my tank so every time the fish see me thats where they go. If this is happening try feeding from the center of the tank.

 

[DLANDINO]

Ok, hate is a strong word. I don't hate them, I love them and the hobby. Now to answer some questions, yes Goby has two lairs in the the aquarium and he switches like once every other week. I feed in the middle of the tank and let the current carry the food around the column. The fish have all been in there since I came out of my cycle, so about 4 months. The Tang admittedly is not in the proper size tank, he was an ill informed purchase recommend by my LFS when I really didn't know too much and didn't research the issue. I have since learned to research, research, research. The Tang is certainly the boss of the aquarium. He is actually out more then the clowns. The cost that I mention is not for coral at all, it was for the entire setup plus cleaning supplies etc.

Is it possible that the clowns are attempting to mate in that corner? I do not have a host organism for them because I am afraid that the BTA would harm my corals.

Thanks all!

 

[DLANDINO]

Also, the tang is about 4 1/2 in in length. As far as flow, I have two maxijet 900's on constant, a marineland 350 filtering the water, and of course my skimmer output which isn't that strong. Anything popping up as an "ut oh"? Thanks again.

Dave

 

[rroselavy]

Where is your tank? In a high traffic area of the house? If so, is it possible the fish are hanging out in an area of your tank that is furthest away from foot traffic and/or closest to shelter?

 

[DLANDINO]

Hi again, not a high traffic area at all. In fact, it is in a corner where there is no traffic at all. It is a stumper. I just changed the water flow a bit to see if it makes a difference. Currently, my flow is directed from the back walls to the front. Wondering if opposing sides pointed at each other would be more preferable for the clowns.

 

[Lahn Doe]

The problem is your fish selection. Clown fish likes to stay close to their host and watchman gobies stay by their cave. Only the tang should be an active swimmer.

 

[DLANDINO]

That does make sense. Thanks!

 

[kevin1234]

If I stick to what you say in your tank description your tank is 46g right?
and 46g for a tang isn't enought (minimum is 90g imo) and will stress the fish alot since he can't swim that much, you should bring him back to yout lfs and trade him for another more suitable fish. there are alot of active fish that could fit in your tank without any problems you just need to reseach well thats all.

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

Where do you feed primary? If you always feed on the right side, the fish will remember that and always stay on that side and come to that area where you feed. Try feeding on the other side maybe? I agree though, a 46g isn't big enough for a tang. I'd trade him in and get maybe 3 green chromis? They are always out front and center in the tank.

 

[Macimage]

As already mentioned the clowns and the goby will pretty much stay close to one spot. The tang is most likely stressed as the tank is too small. It would be best for your viewing enjoyment and the tang's health to trade it for different fish.

Joyce

 

[reef rico]

When i was a nooby at fish tanks about 3 years ago I had a regal blue tang which grew from a baby to 2-3 inches and was very active and a yellow tang was about 4-5 inches whoch was also very active and none of them ever got ich. Just got a 180gallon tank so all will be good.

 

[Lotus99]

My fish did that when I first set up my tank. For some reason, they preferred one side to the other. As I got more corals, they seemed to be happier with the tank. I can't definitively say it was because of the corals, but it did seem to make a difference to the fish. It could just be that when I got the corals, the water was better (more stable, lower nitrates) and the fish started to get more comfortable in the tank.

I agree that the tang should go back. It could be that he's stressed in the tank and stressing everyone else out.

Another thing to consider is if there are more overhangs/caves on one side than the other. The fish may not like your aquascaping.