True Percula QT adjustment problems (or not)

[GillJoy]

After four weeks in my clown is still not going down more than a few inches. He has no problem swimming at the surface. When feeding, he will only chase food a couple inches but once more than 4-5" from the surface he retreats as though he is scared of what lies below (which is nothing but a few pieces of PVC as it is my QT). I'm afraid his appetite is not too healthy either as he'll eat a couple things but then leave the rest (mixed diet of what I give my healthy 150 tank of a mix of Formula One frozen, flakes, Spectrum pellets both meals and frozen mysis shrimp, blood worms and/or brine shrimp).

I'm excited to put him in my 150 established tank but am afraid he may sit at the top, not "take to water" and mingle with the residents, stress out, not eat and die . Should I keep him in the QT until he starts to eat better and dive down a little more?

 

[ezhoops]

is the bottom of the QT tank covered from underneath with anything? my QT is barebottom as well (as most are and should be) but I tape card board under the bottom of the tank and it seems to make the clowns feel like their is a bottom to it and not just "The blue hole"

I've done some experimenting with this and found that when I only tape half of the tank almost all the clowns I've kept (about 8 species in all) will not venture to the "bottomless side unless chased or harassed their, not even for food.

Hope this helps

 

[GillJoy]

I have the QT sitting on a beige towel to give the impression of a sandy floor. Interesting study and hope a lot of confused new clowners (like myself) benefit from it. I think I'm most concerned about the eating habits as it HAS been 4 weeks and if I place him in the big tank, he might not fight enough for food. Thanks for your help regardless.

 

[ezhoops]

well I wouldn't worry too much some clowns are just freaky like that, I'm sure he'll come round sooner or later. as long as he's eating he should be fine. Remember QT tanks don't always make fish feel as comfortable as they should and that could be a reason also

 

[GillJoy]

I know why I love Reef Central? It's free therapy.

Thanks for your input. How much longer should I wait to put him in the community tank? He was with my LFS for a month before I picked him up and he uses copper in his tanks. In other words, he may be as healthy as I'm going to get him before going in.

 

[ezhoops]

she's been in QT for 4 weeks and at the LFS for 4 weeks I would say IMO SHE is fine (it is a girl I hope you know) others may say wait a bit longer but she should be fine and you will probably notice she will be a little happier with other fish around. IT wouldn't hurt to pick up a mate, a smaller one only though.

 

[GillJoy]

Thank you. SHE...looks a lot like the one in your signature picture. Beautiful true perc. I was going to get 2 but wanted to make sure I was going the right direction. Do you recommend going with a male true or a false? Would you QT the mate for the recommended period as well...just to stay consistent? - David

 

[ezhoops]

well your in a bit of a quandry if you QT the male because he may then become a she and then you'll have problems. If you decide to get a mate, first try to get a much smaller one than your female and True or false perc (occellaris) doesn't matter much either will work.

As far as the QT thing goes, I would try to buy a Captive bred mate that looks great is eating healthy and from a LFS that you trust and take my chances.

 

[GillJoy]

right. forgot about the fact that perculas don't know their sex until later and that the established perc is the female. I GREATLY appreciate all your shared expertise.

 

[ezhoops]

keep in mind that any clown once it passes it's juvenile stage (and size isn't always a determinate) if left alone it will change into a female sometime within apox. 30 days.

Good luck, post some pics when you get a chance

 

[GillJoy]

Great News! You were dead on all around. I put HER in the tank Friday night and she had no problem finding a comfortable spot just over a powerhead (but not near the top of the tank). I even went to my LFS and got her a little buddy (about 1/3 her size) and they took to each other like long lost pals. They are both cruising the tank, checking it out. THANK YOU! Will post some pics once they start doing some belly flops in the anemones. - David

 

[ezhoops]

AWESOME!! congrats, always willing to help a fellow reefer. yeah show us some pics when you get a chance.

 

[GillJoy]

I have 1 in my gallery but haven't figured out how to incorporate into a post yet. Just a quick shot of her poking her cruizing by a condylactus.

What anemones do you find to be the most attractive to clowns? I have a purple tip, rose and condylactus. Had a brown carpet but it got sick on me.

 

[ezhoops]

Its really up to the clowns if and what they will host in. I prefer colorful anem's like a rose and they are easy to keep.

To post a pic, its easiest if you put your pics on a website picture hosting service like....

www.photobucket.com

its free and once you upload them onto their posting them is sooooooo easy its crazy


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