Clown fish swimming weird

Morgan Rodgers · Jun 1, 2020

My clownfish is swimming really weird near the intake and was wondering if it was a problem.

GaryE · Jun 1, 2020

What are your parameters?

EagleEye121 · Jun 1, 2020

Is it in that position all the time? Is it eating? Does it look healthy? Other fish that might be bullying it?

Sometimes clowns are shy like that and will hang out in a corner. As long as it has the strength to swim away from the suction and is eating I wouldn’t worry too much

PeaBrain · Jun 1, 2020

Clowns do that. They are weird.

Morgan Rodgers · Jun 1, 2020

EagleEye121 said:
Is it in that position all the time? Is it eating? Does it look healthy? Other fish that might be bullying it?

Sometimes clowns are shy like that and will hang out in a corner. As long as it has the strength to swim away from the suction and is eating I wouldn’t worry too much

I just took the top off and it swam away pretty fast, and it usually eats. There is only one other fish in the tank and it’s another gladiator clownfish

Morgan Rodgers · Jun 1, 2020

GaryE said:
What are your parameters?

My parameters are all good, but I don’t know my ammonia levels bc I don’t have the test kit for it. My nitrates are at 1, and my phosphate is at .04

EagleEye121 · Jun 1, 2020

How old’s the tank?

Morgan Rodgers · Jun 1, 2020

6 weeks, put the clowns in 2-3 weeks ago, and added corals today

EagleEye121 · Jun 2, 2020

Give it time, maybe he’ll come out. I wouldn’t worry!

GaryE · Jun 2, 2020

Sounds like you're moving a bit faster than recommended. I'd get the ammonia tested.

I highly recommend a Seachem Ammonia badge. Amazon for 7 or 8 bucks and they're good for a year. If your ammonia is high, fish tend to stay higher in the water.

While I do agree that clowns are weird, it's best to eliminate ammonia as a cause of the weirdness.

Morgan Rodgers · Jun 2, 2020

EagleEye121 said:
Give it time, maybe he’ll come out. I wouldn’t worry!

Ok thanks! He seems to be doing better today

Morgan Rodgers · Jun 2, 2020

GaryE said:
Sounds like you're moving a bit faster than recommended. I'd get the ammonia tested.

I highly recommend a Seachem Ammonia badge. Amazon for 7 or 8 bucks and they're good for a year. If your ammonia is high, fish tend to stay higher in the water.

While I do agree that clowns are weird, it's best to eliminate ammonia as a cause of the weirdness.

He seems to only be doing this at night when the lights are dim, and. Seems to be doing a lot better today. I’m going to get my ammonia tested later today, and I’m new to the hobby, and I’m going as fast as my lfs recommend