Please help me decide how to proceed with my Picasso Clown

[koda_dad]

I have to make a decision by tomorrow...and I have no idea what to do.... need some advice.

First off...some background.....It started off as a pair of Picassos...one died in the first 2 days.

The store I purchased them from cannot get me another one.

My Picasso's is behaviour is a little frustrating.. he has hosted the powerhead in the top back left corner of my tank. He spends 95% of his day there. He swims up and down... a little bit aways and then straight back. The weird part is when I turn the powerheads off...he is a COMPLETELY different fish. He swims all over the tank, very active and generally seems to be having a blast. The moment the powerheads come back on....poof straight to the hosting spot again.

I know this question has been asked and the general answer is....no its not too much flow. But...

If he rarely leaves his hosting spot except when the powerheads are off.... and then when they are off he clown swims all around the tank exploring. Might flow be the prob?

Here is my flow details...
I have a 33 gallon.

It has 2 - Koralia 2's, (600gph each x2= 1200gph), 1 - Koralia 450 (450 gph), and a Maxijet 1200 (295 gph) running the skimmer.

Total flow = 1945 gph /33 = 58.93X

Could this much flow be stressing him out?

If collectively everyone thinks it is not too much flow...any thoughts on getting him to leave the the powerhead hosting spot?

The store I purchased him at has also given me the ability to return him (as they know I wanted a pair)

One last bit of info...I have found picassos (only grade C - mine is grade A) at another store.

Should I:

a) return my picasso and buy 2 of the grade c from the other store.

b) keep my picasso and buy 1 of the grade C from the other store

c) keep mine and wait for another grade a?

d) return mine and wait for another pair of grade a?

It is my understanding the Picasos are just true perc's so although the other stores fish are grade C they should still pair up providing I can get a fish that is smaller?

Would my chance of getting a pair increase at all with getting 2 of the grade C instead of trying to pair up with my existing?

One last bit of info is that my picasso has been without his partner for 3 weeks and is still very small.

Any input appreciated.

 

[amnesia]

Im gonna say NO to too much flow. My 33 has been upwards of 70x turnover and my female perc didn't behave any differently than she ever has.

Your grade A will pair up with a grade B or C or another A. They are all the same species of fish. Pair it up with a smaller fish of your choosing, and hope for the best.

Good luck.

 

[koda_dad]

thanks!

That is kind of what I was hoping I would hear. A) I really dont want to try and catch my Picasso. b) glad to hear I will have the same success rate with any grade Picasso.. I think I will just get one of the Grade c's and call it a day.

As for the hosting.. could it be that is partner is gone that is stressing him too? Any suggestions to get him away from the powerhead?

 

[rholguin]

If he acts diff with the powerheads off then I think it could be strayvoltage. Korilias are known to leak electricity. You may want to check that out.

 

[koda_dad]

Thanks. Great idea...Ill check that out tomorrow for sure.

 

[prickles]

Add a grounding probe. It sounds like stray voltage.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Titanium...altwater_Aquariums-TAAM-TA1111-FIMIGF-vi.html

Even if not your problem, you should have one for safety anyways, along with GFCI's for all your power.

 

[d0ughb0y]

since you paid a premium to get clowns that are already paired, I'd say return the single and just wait for a new pair because that is what you wanted in the first place. be patient. clowns do host on powerhead. mine did until I got an RBTA.

 

[Ebn]

Mine hosts the overflow box even though there's a RBTA in the tank.

Also, in regards to the flow, it isn't too much. I'm running dual MP40W in my 32g.