clown laying on the bottom and looking stressed

[Griepp06]

so I have a 2.5" clown that for some reason likes to lay on the bottom of the tank either on his belly or on his sides sometime. and when he swims he doesn't look like its as effortless compared to the other fish. he's not showing any physical signs of being sick like lesions or soars or anything. this honestly has been going on for a 2 months and at first just thought he was an odd fish but could he have something wrong with him? 40 gallons with 2 caves for him to hide in. there's no coral or anything like that in there just another clown and a scopas tang for fish, 12 snails, 3 crabs, 2 urchins, and a shrimp. i honestly cant tell if he is just a weird fish or if there is something wrong that I cant notice.

 

[R0L0]

so I have a 2.5" clown that for some reason likes to lay on the bottom of the tank either on his belly or on his sides sometime. and when he swims he doesn't look like its as effortless compared to the other fish. he's not showing any physical signs of being sick like lesions or soars or anything. this honestly has been going on for a 2 months and at first just thought he was an odd fish but could he have something wrong with him? 40 gallons with 2 caves for him to hide in. there's no coral or anything like that in there just another clown and a scopas tang for fish, 12 snails, 3 crabs, 2 urchins, and a shrimp. i honestly cant tell if he is just a weird fish or if there is something wrong that I cant notice.

If you could get pictures that would help or a video.

 

[fishguy242]

Hi, pics, short video ,will help a lot .

 

[Griepp06]

This was yesterday. He always goes to the same spot behind that rock

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

This was yesterday. He always goes to the same spot behind that rock

Clownfish sometimes develop swim-bladder issues where they become negatively buoyant. If the fish is still eating well and has been like this for a long time, that is probably the issue. That isn’t treatable, it sometimes is caused by a developmental problem.
If you post a short video, I might be able to confirm that….
Jay