need advice on new ocellaris (pic included)

[lionbacker54]

hi,

i bought my first clownfish (ocellaris) yesterday from petco. i had initially planned on two clownfish since i did not want it to be lonely, but the guy at petco convinced me that my 9g nano was too small for two.

i am troubled that the clownfish, which looked very healthy and calm in the store, is totally frenetic here in my tank. it seems like he is constantly searching for a way out. he does not sleep. he does not eat (tried mysis and live brine shrimp). he just keeps swimming frenetically at the corners of the tank. i did all the things suggested to acclimate fish without stress: turn off the lights, nice slow acclimatization, slowly add tank water. all the parameters are ok: pH 8.3, temp 80, ammonia and nitrites undetectable.

what do you think the problem is? he is tank bred and did not have an anemone at petco, so i don't think this is the issue. there were two other clowns in the tank with him, so could he be lonely or searching for them? they all looked small, so i don't think any were paired. he is the first fish for my tank: just have LR, LS and CUC otherwise.

any help would be appreciated.

thanks.

pic is here:

http://s430.photobucket.com/albums/qq24/lionbacker54/

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

I think that maybe he is trying to find a place to hide.. I noticed that in the picture, there is only a rock and no cave. The little guy is stressed for now, it can take a couple of days for him to get use to his new home...leave him be for a day or so. Then try to feed him mysis, enriched brine or pellet food soaked in garlic.

 

[kurquhart1]

im kinda having the same proble,. i just bought 2 yesterday and there both not doing much either. swimming in the corners of the tank. im starting to get a lil worried. one's mouth keeps opening and closing very quickly and mine arent eating as well

 

[Lmecher]

Sometimes they won't eat for few days to a week. Giving it somewhere to hide is a good idea. Moving a fish to a new tank is very streaaful, did you turn off the lights while acclimating? I would just give it some time, it won't hurt the fish to go without food for several more days. I would not put 2 clowns in a 9 gallon tank, it is actually too small for one, just don't add any more.

 

[lionbacker54]

yes, that is exactly what he is doing! opening and closing his mouth. scaring me.

wicked - should i make some kind of cave for him? 9g is too small for an anemone, but are there any fake anemone or coral substitute i could use?

 

[sandrifter]

if you have extra rock try and make a cave and turn the lights off so it's not too bright. He should acclimate in a day or so.

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14038308#post14038308 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lionbacker54
yes, that is exactly what he is doing! opening and closing his mouth. scaring me.

wicked - should i make some kind of cave for him? 9g is too small for an anemone, but are there any fake anemone or coral substitute i could use?

If you don't have another fully cured rock...then try securely lean the rock against the back of the tank.

 

[OrionN]

Put a flower pot in the tank turn to the side. A coffee mug works just as well.. You can remove it later.

 

[lionbacker54]

thanks for your advice all. clownfish is happier now. still zooming around at times, but definitely relaxes at times as well.