Silly clownfish
New member
I had my McCoskers Wrasse for 9 months and as I feared since I got him, he finally found a way out of the tank a few weeks ago. Ihave a full glass canopy and thought I had sealed all gaps. *I found him dead on the floor behind the tank, only a few hours after I had last seen him. I believe he squeezed out the cutout in the plastic strip around the return pipe. The foam I use to block that area got a little crunched and it must have given him enough room.
Since he went in the display tank, he would regularly (at least every other day) slam into the glass canopy loudly. I have heard they sometimes paralyze themselves this way and he certainly stunned himself good a few times. He also made several jumps to the overflow until I made a barrier that closed the gap between the top of the overflow and the canopy. And twice while I was feeding he jumped out of the tank to the floor (probably a 4'drop). Since I was right there I picked him right up both times (complete with dog hair from the floor).
To be honest, tank maintenance is less stressful now because I'm not constantly watching for a jumper.
I really enjoyed this fish's colors and the constant motion in the tank. There is noticably less movement now. I just don't think I want to get another fish with such a strong death wish. Any suggestions for a fish that would play a similar role in the tank without trying to kill itself?
A long time ago I had. Cleaner wrasse (regular, not the colorful Hawaiian variety that I just saw on vacation). I had him for about 2 and a half years and don't recall him ever jumping. I understand that 2 plus years is unusual for a cleaner and that they are not recommended for aquariums, so I don't want to go that route.
My other livestock and tank specs are in my signature block. Can't get anything that will compete with my mandarin for pods.
Kim
Since he went in the display tank, he would regularly (at least every other day) slam into the glass canopy loudly. I have heard they sometimes paralyze themselves this way and he certainly stunned himself good a few times. He also made several jumps to the overflow until I made a barrier that closed the gap between the top of the overflow and the canopy. And twice while I was feeding he jumped out of the tank to the floor (probably a 4'drop). Since I was right there I picked him right up both times (complete with dog hair from the floor).
To be honest, tank maintenance is less stressful now because I'm not constantly watching for a jumper.
I really enjoyed this fish's colors and the constant motion in the tank. There is noticably less movement now. I just don't think I want to get another fish with such a strong death wish. Any suggestions for a fish that would play a similar role in the tank without trying to kill itself?
A long time ago I had. Cleaner wrasse (regular, not the colorful Hawaiian variety that I just saw on vacation). I had him for about 2 and a half years and don't recall him ever jumping. I understand that 2 plus years is unusual for a cleaner and that they are not recommended for aquariums, so I don't want to go that route.
My other livestock and tank specs are in my signature block. Can't get anything that will compete with my mandarin for pods.
Kim
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