Ocellaris pair

[TRichardson79]

I just bought a pair of these fascinating little fish. I have been watching them after I turn the lights out and just the moon lights are on. The larger one like to stir up the sand bed alot, making quite the cloud. Is this normal behavior?
Also they both take turns twitching at each other. I have read that this is submissive behavior. But why would they both do it?

 

[Coral Hind]

The female is just clearing a spot out. If you have an anemone they do this to keep the area around the anemone clear.

The little guy is twitching to signal he is submissive. She is simply sending back a reply. This normally only happens in older well established pair bonds.

 

[TRichardson79]

this sand clearing behavior is getting a lil out of hand. They have a 6" square spot in the front, right hand side of the tank. If I move it back, they just clear it back out. Will this ever stop?

 

[sedor]

Clowns are funny little fish and they will do some of the strangest things...

Your probably just going to have to let them do their thing with the sand, unless you want to rearrange your rockwork and that might coax them into finding a different spot. IMO I would just let them be

 

[TRichardson79]

They sure are funny little fish. I had no idea!! I definitely do not want to rearrange the rockwork. Too much work there lol I will just let them do what they want.

 

[xmasia]

got to love them clowns. my female likes to lay on her side on the sand and the male will lay on top of her. one of the many cool things ive seen.

 

[lalc]

Sand Stormers?

Sand Stormers?

I would place a small flower pot in or near the area they continue to "sweep"
I did this on for my clowns and lets just say they put there energy into each keep other...
They spawned inside of the pot and now all the male does is fan and the female defends @ night they chill both of them together inside of the flower pot and there clutch. very cool-dare
I say cute?
For more info check out the breeders forum.
A.K.A. The Fish Pimp :beachbum:

 

[TRichardson79]

This is the spot that they always clear out after lights out. The fish in the photo is, what I presume to be, the male. He is almost always in that spot. Sometimes clearing stuff out with his mouth. Looks like he is trying to bite stuff sometimes also.

I am getting tired of pushing the sand back over that spot, only to find it cleared out the next morning.