I have to clowns, both Ocellaris, and I recently noticed that they are rubbing up again the live rock in my tank and along the exposed sand in the tank. I was just making sure this isn't a sign of a sickness or if it is just a common thing that clowns do. I also do not have any anemones.
Why do clown fish rub up against live rock or the sand?
- Thread starter acj2604
- Start date
Chupacabras
New member
Could be the first signs of ick, keep an eye out as fish flashing (the behavior you describe) is usually one of the first behaviors of an afflicted fish. It may not be, could be aggression or just an itch... just be ready.
sarahkucera
New member
Fish scratching themselves against the liverock or sand is never a good sign.
AFAIK it is due to stress, ich, parasites, or environmental factors.
You're new and you have listed that you have a 3 gallon "reef" tank...do you have any other tanks or are the two clowns in a 3 gallon tank?
A 3 gallon tank is not an appropriate tank for a pair of clownfish.
AFAIK it is due to stress, ich, parasites, or environmental factors.
You're new and you have listed that you have a 3 gallon "reef" tank...do you have any other tanks or are the two clowns in a 3 gallon tank?
A 3 gallon tank is not an appropriate tank for a pair of clownfish.
55semireef
Moved On
Are your clowns really in a 3 gallon tank? Thats just not right. You need to have them at least in a 20 gallon for them to stretch out their fins. Rubbing on rocks usually indicates parasites or some type of irritation in the water. Did you recently add carbon or change the chemistry of the water?
