New clownfish parent...I need reassurance!!!!!

S

smartang22

New member
Hello. I just got a very cute clown and he is now in my QT tank. I have read quite a bit about them, but I tend to become very anxious about "new" things. Crazy? Yes, but I want to do everything right and I do not want anything bad to happen.

So, can anyone give me any suggestions to help my little clown fit in? What are something I should look for if something is wrong? I know their swimming is like wiggling, but how do I know if they aren't swimming right? I know they don't need a host anemone, but is there something that can replace it or do I need to provide something like that?

Any comments and suggestions are appreciated. Yes, I am new, but I have gained a bit of knowledge through books and reading posts. But I really need personal experience now. You people are the ones that I look to for guidence.

Thanks for your help!!!
 
I was told on this forum that you don't have to have a nem to have a happy fish, but I had to have one anyway after I learned more, what kind of clown do you have?? GOOD LUCK I am sure you will do fine.
 
Sounds like you're gonna do just fine. Though I don't have a tank just yet, one of my closest friends has a pair of true percs in hers, and I see them every couple days, give or take. Maybe I don't have the in-depth personal experience you're looking for, but between talking to her for hours on end and reading up for quite some time, I may be able to help just a little.

For what it's worth, I've always thought of their swimming motion as being reminiscent of a puppy...but maybe i'm crazy ;)

I'm happy to read that you've got your clown in QT...they can be prone too brooklynella, especially if they're wild caught. From everything I've read, the QT period is also beneficial for observing your fish and its behaviors, which will help you to recognize when something is a little off. Just watch him swim around while he's in QT, being sure to check for signs of disease (and if you aren't sure about anything, do not hesitate to post it here on ReefCentral! Folks are more than happy to help out when you've got a question!)
 
They don't need an anemone, as already stated, but you will be tempted many times. Let yourself get familiar with your aquarium and its parameters, and do lots of research before you do the anemone impulse buy. Your tank is not ready for one. Congrats on the new addition!
 
I watched him last night and he seemed very calm. This morning he is swimming kind of erratically and is not interested in the food I just gave him. Is he panicking? I am going to do a quick water change even though I checked the parameters before I put him in and they were fine.

I am still very nervous so does this sound like he is stressed or is this just some crazy behavior that a clown can do?

The LFS sold it as a true percula so I am assuming that is correct (i know I shouldn't). And it is tank raised.
 
Tank raised are very unlikely to have disease(unless LFS put in tank with other wild caught fish that passed it on). Picture would help make sure you got what he told you. Water temp? Lighting(probably just N.O. flourescent, right)? Enough air(i.e. bubbler or water movement)? At night, clowns will settle down, and when hosting something, literally lie down in their home and go to bed. Not abnormal for an evening behavior. Did you try to feed right when the lights came on? There is a temporary period of initial shock when the lights come on and many times the clown will still be a little dazed. Try feeding after 5 or so minutes after the lights come on. Keep the temp a little warmer than a reef, 80-84F is good. Salinity can be as low as 1.019 and the clowns should be in perfect condition(their water can actually be as low as 1.009 without harming the fish, but this is mainly used for disease treatment).

Stable conditions for the first few days is the main importance. Just keep him happy and he should start eating.
 
You know, I always see TheVillageIdiot come on here and give some of the best information. Says something about the village genius, huh? Wilkersons book is about as complete a clownfish and anemone guide as you could ever get. There are a few facts that are outdated, but very few at that.
 
I just did a 1 gallon water change (I have a 10 gal. QT) and I added some ammo detox as a precaution. I know the temp is at 80 and the pH is at 8.4. Salinity is at 1.022. Ammonia is at 0, nitrate 0, nitrite in between .5-1.0. I do have a Whisper 10 filter that is moving water and I left the filter in my main tank for a week to gain the good bacteria from it.

I will do another water change later today as well. I plan on doing at least one gallon a day too. Would the nitrites make him swim so erratically? I turned the light (the other one burnt out...good timing) and left it on and he has not calmed down yet. All other clowns I have ever seen are not this wired. I know he needs some time to adjust, but I want to make sure he does not get too stressed or if he is sick I want to take immediate action.

Thanks again for all the help!
 
Nitrates seem to be more like at 5 ppm. The colors look very close. I am warming up another gallon right now for another water change. I am going to try to keep those numbers down.

Should I remove the filter pad so that there can be more water movement in the tank?
 
That much nitrates should have absolutely no effect on a clownfish. If it went from 1 to 5 in the 30minutes between posts, then that may be of some concern. Truthfully, I think too many water changes can be more stressful on a fish than not enough. If you are hell-bent on doing another change, make sure the temperature and salinity are exactly equal. A couple degrees difference on a 10% water change sould be a dramtic effect if done often.

Is he still not eating? If he is eating, just overactive, shouldn't be anything to worry about. All clownfish are different and some are adventurous, while some would rather lie down and take a nap. If you saw me and a runner in the same house, chances are the runner would be all hyperactive and I would be comfortably seated in my chair. Granted, this is not the best example, but it works. Clowns are the craziest little fish...you'll come to realize that.
 
Thanks! He has calmed down quite a bit. The numbers are down as well after the water change. I will do a small water change tomorrow as well and then just keep track of the parameters.

I am not sure if he has eaten though. I haven't seen him eat, but that doesn't mean he hasn't. I gave him small amounts of flakes four times today. I will not feed that much tomorrow; I just wanted to make sure he has enough chanced when he felt comfortable. He is very cute and I am really enjoying him. He slept behind the heater last night and that was really cute!
 
Stick around after you feed to see if you can catch him eating anything...also, what colors are you wearing when you are feeding/tending the QT tank? I've read in a few places that if you wear reds or blacks you could scare the fish. I don't know if that could be why he's hyper some days and calmer the next, but it's something to roll around for a while.
 
Well, I was wearing grey and kakhi. Those are the dullest colors you can get!!!! I will watch him after I drop the food. I was trying to leave the area just in case he would be more comfortable that way. I will try and hide while I watch. Thanks!!!
 
I can just picture myself hiding behind a potted plant with a pair of binoculars spying on my fish feeding in their QT...lol! :)
 
What was she eating at the LFS where you got her? Try feeding her what she is used to.
My clowns love most of the slow sinking pellets and also love mysis shrimp, but will turn up their noses at the Spectrum slow sinking pellets.
A fish in a new environment may turn up its nose at food for a few days.
 
Well, I hid in the bathroom witht he lights off and looked around the corner!! ;) Unfortunately I did not see the little guy eat. He swims around much more calmly now though. I will call the LFS and see what they were feeding the clowns. I bought a flake food that was recommended for clowns but didn't think to get a variety. Oh well. It is just another excuse to go back to the store!!!
Again, thanks for all the help. I am learning so much from everyone. My fears have dissipated...for now. :D
 
Hehehe...hiding in the bathroom so that the clown doesn't see you...who says that you aren't controlled by your pets?!?!

Sounds like a happy clown. Your clown should not feel shy about eating in front of people. I have tangs that won't come out until I back up a step or two, but my clowns sit at the top of the water waiting for the first pellet to hit...God forbid they miss that first pellet of food!! Meaty foods like mysis or any finely grated grocery store foods(squid, oysters, etc.) will many times help a picky clown start eating again. Add selcon and he shouldn't be able to pass it up.
 
I've also heard a lot of good things about garlic enticing a picky eater or two. Seems like a lot of clowns will eat just about anything once they get settled in and comfortable.
 
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