Need help. New clownfish not swimming right.

[rizon25]

Hi,

I recently purchased a pair of clownfish 2 days ago. Today, I noticed one of the clownfish staying near the bottom. It looks as though she is having a hard time swimming up to the top. The fish is eating but spits the food out. When I first got the fish, I drip acclimated them for 2 hours before putting them in the main tank.

My parameters are:
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
Temp 78.2
Specific gravity 1.025
pH: 8.02

The place where I got the fish from said their salinity is at 1.021-1.022.

My tank has just finished its cycle about 2 weeks ago. I have some zoas and xenias. I also have hermit crabs, snails, cleaner shrimp. The only other fish I have in there is a goby which is doing fine. Any help is appreciated! I really like these fish. Thanks.

 

[PTrainer262]

I have learned in the past 3 days that clownfish are odd, funny little fish. I just added them and had me incredibly worried something was wrong... But they are completely fine. They also get into a very strange swimming pattern while the lights are off.... I'm assuming sleeping.
I was told to acclimate for 20 min... And that 30 was too long. Not sure as to rule of thumb although I'm sure everyone has a different answer.

 

[rizon25]

They are actually swimming okay now. I guess they are still stressed from the move. It is day 3 since I purchased them and they are not eating well. I have tried spectrum pellet foods, ocean nutrition formula two pellets, and mysis shrimp soaked in garlic. One of the clownfish will eat the food and spit it out,eat it, spit it out and so forth. The other one ignores anything I put in there. Is this normal? Should I just wait a couple more days?

Here is a pic of one of them.

 

[mike13oy]

Try frozen cyclop-eeze.

 

[rizon25]

I will try that. Thanks!

 

[redsman]

That is a nice looking fish.

 

[xtlosx]

very nice looking fish. You can also try Rod's food. That is usually something that fish absolutely love. I know mine go loony.

 

[sauce1]

u should ask ur lfs what they were feeding it, clowns should eat a varied diet, (frozen, live, dry and greens) but its hard to say this is a premium fish ORA i believe so you should research what they feed it, you can find it online, how much did you get it for, did you get the pair?

 

[D-Nak]

+1 Rods Food. My entire tank loves it. In terms of swimming, aside from the unique way percs swish their bodies back and forth, I've also seen my pair swim sideways and even upside down.

 

[Whip316]

if they dont look better after the second day then i would worry. most likely they are just stressed and getting used to their new environment.

 

[rizon25]

I'm actually going to try rod's food. The lfs told me they used spectrum pellets and spirulina, mysis shrimp. I bought the pair. They were selling them for 125 each.

 

[OrionN]

For expensive fish like this pair, I would have to observe them eating at the fish store. At least then you have something that they will eat. Usually tank raise clown fish will eat flakes because more likely than not that is what they eat as they growing up. I never able to get my clowns to eat pellets, ever. I guess I don't keep at it long enough

 

[rizon25]

One of them is actually eating the ocean nutrition marine pellets formula 2 now. The other one is still being picky or maybe still stressed out. It is day 4 now. Hopefully it will perk up soon. I'll post pics later tonight.

 

[rizon25]

Here's a pic of them tonight: