New Clown attacking reflection...ideas?

[jonlovisolo]

Hello! Long time lurker, first time poster!

Right now in QT I have a Occ. Clownfish from my LFS. It's a female, as it was the only clown in its tank at the store, they have had it for some time, and it's roughly 2" long maybe less. Well rounded full bodied, definately a female. I drip acclimated it, transfer into QT, and it hides in PVC. Slowly comes out, starts exploring the tank, looks good. No signs of distress, all tank parameters in check, QT was cycled using fishless cycle with material from main tank, which was also fishless cycled.

Two days later, fish might be picking at food that falls to the bottom, not actively eating what's floating. However, this fish is going absolutely bannanas against the sides of the 10g QT tank, attacking its reflection. I mean full on betta style. So I covered the tank in black construction paper, that didn't work. I covered the tank in various colors of construction paper, that worked and I saw the fish picking at leftover food. This good for now.

My question is, will the fish eventually come to accept its reflection and chill out? Should I remove the paper and let it figure this out on its own? Fish looks very healthy, no signs of ich, brook, etc. Swims normally, active. Just man, it won't stop attacking its reflections.

 

[worm5406]

Black paper can actually make a mirror type surface inside the tank. (Think of the police tv shows where they are on the other side of a 2-way mirror in a darker room)

White/lighter paper will reduce the reflection back and reflect light, to reduce the mirror effect. The patter of different paper colors will break up the image also.

If you let it figure it out, it might end up Drain Bamaged, too.

 

[snorvich]

If you let it figure it out, it might end up Drain Bamaged, too.

ROTFLMAO :hmm5:

 

[jonlovisolo]

Thanks for the response! Good point on the black, I'll try white/yellow/light blue when I get home. Do you think the type of light might have an impact too? For instance, I'm using CFL over the QT. But if I found a cheap LED, with it's linear light pattern, perhaps less light would be reflected off of the glass?

I just got the Drain Bamaged. But seriously, there is some risk with this bashing into the sides no? Would getting through QT this way then transferring to DT with other creatures perhaps defer some of the stress? Appreciate the help and responses.

 

[jonlovisolo]

Also, I could try the light diffusing panels for overhead lights from Home Depot, if the paper doesn't work

 

[worm5406]

It is not a defect, normally. They see something that looks like a fish and want to dominate over it.

Some people have put things in their tank like floss to stop the reflection. If you sould put a go pro in the tank (waterproof of course) and see what it sees from that side you might realize that a certain light could be causing it or there could be a perfect reflection there too.

 

[jonlovisolo]

Hah, I never thought of a GoPro. However, I don't think the home boss would approve of that as a necessary purchase.

I covered the outside of the tank in white styrofoam I had lying around, that didn't seem to do much. I think because it was a bit reflective. Then I tried white paper towel, and that seemed to calm her down a bunch. She was still swimming around the perimiter, but not attacking the glass. I bought some plastic mesh used for needle point from Hobby Lobby, I'm going to try inserting that on the sides when I get home. I also switched the light from the 40W cfl I had been using to a 10W incandescent that came with the tank.


So this may be an acceptable short term solution, but long term? In the LFS, she was the only oc. clown in the 29g tank, but there were a dozen or so other fish. My guess is because there was so many fish, and so little territory, she didn't have the opportunity to estabilish her space and had nothing to defend. Now, in my 10g qt tank, she has defined "her space" and is defending it from the reflections.


We'll see when she goes into the DT I guess. It's a 29g tank with a purple pseudochromis and a handful of snails and hermits, and that will be it for fish. Any further thoughts always appreciated.