Is my clown sick?

[scott_r]

Hey guys

I just introduced two clowns in my tank about a week and a half ago and my bigger clown is acting funny. I never see him eat, he has rapid mouth movement at times and usually just hangs out in the top corner of my tank swimming. At times he will be horizontal, sometimes vertical and just hugs the glass.
His colors look good, no visible slime or anything.
Water parameters are:
Ammonia 0,
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 8,
ph 8.3
Temp 77.5
Salinity 1.0245

10% water change this past Sat. RO/DI water used, also moved around live rock, kinda rearranged the layout.
Im wondering if this is a possible sign of stress? if so how long before he beats it? My smaller clown is doing great, eating, swimming and looking happy.

My other fish in the tank, all of which are healthy and happy consist of a Yellow tang, Banded Coral shrimp, Dwarf Lionfish (very small and timid) Long Spined Urchin and a clean up crew. I have not witnessed any aggression from tank mates.

Any thoughts??? This is my first pair of clowns and have read all sorts on them and they certainly can have weird behavior at times.


Cheers!

 

[worm5406]

I have seen clowns act like this near the top when they are acclimating and getting used to 'some one elses tank' Once they get comfortable they usually will venture out.

I try to help get them out by feeding where they are and slowly move the food on the next feeding to the opposite side of the tank.

 

[scott_r]

Thanks worm, appreciate the help!!

 

[scott_r]

Well just an update and this may help others with similar issues as me.

The clown is doing excellent now, he is swimming around, eating like a pig and his mouth is no longer gasping.
I assume this whole behavior was stress related because my water parameters are all the same, as with his environment and tank mates.
Very happy to see him happy!!

Cheers!!

HE>I