Clownfish advice

[AoD]

I finally finished my cycle and was able to get my first fish. I picked up a frostbite clown. He’s a beautiful little guy but the problem is, he’s basically hosting one corner of the tank and doesn’t leave. I have to drop food just about on top of his head to get him to eat. Will he get out and explore over time? Is there a good way to get him out of there? It’s frustrating, you wait and wait for the cycle to end, you get a fish, and he sits in a corner.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

That's typical clownfish behavior. She will eventually start moving around a little more. But they typically stay in one area in the tank.

 

[AoD]

Thanks. Could it also possibly be because the fish was tank raised and is used to tight quarters and being surrounded by other clowns? At the LFS there was four of them together swimming around all over the tank. This one fooled me.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Fish behave differently at fish stores. My clowns stay in the upper corner of my tank by the overflow box most of the day and all night. Even in the wild they have very small territories centered around the anemone they host. So in the aquarium they usually pick a area they like and stay close to that area.

 

[ngoodermuth]

It’s definitely typical clown behavior, especially if he’s new. Once he settles in and you have a few more fish in there swimming around he should venture out more. Right now he is staying where he is most comfortable.

The ocellaris clowns I’ve owned have always liked corners, I don’t know why they find them so cozy lol

Right now I have a pair of clarkii clowns in my 120g and they swim all over, probably more than any clowns I’ve owned. My percula pair is in a tank full of BTA’s so they stay in the nems.

 

[Arcticfirefighter]

Its typical behavior. When I first put mine in they would not leave my powerhead. They stayed tight in the corner, kind of like thier safe space. Once it feels more comfortable, it will venture out just like the others are saying. If you have the option, get it a buddy. They seem to do better in pairs.

 

[AoD]

Thanks guys. He’s coming out of his shell a little bit now and is attacking his food. Good sign! Now I remember why I love clowns so much. He sleeps in his corner on the sand bed. Funny stuff!

 

[sfin52]

Some fish will bring others out. One fish in a tank by itself won't feel comfortable. I see no fish must not be safe. Stay close to home. As you get more fish the safer the fish feel. If you can get a small shoal of a fish like blue green chromis the better. A shoal will draw the more shy fish out .

 

[Fish.are.friends]

Yeah seems pretty normal. I’ve had my pair about 6 years and they stick to one corner of my tank in the back. But they do come out and explore throughout the day. I had a anemone for about four years and it stayed in the front of my rocks. They eventually hosted it and stayed there. But now their back to their corner. They even keep moving the sand to create a cave with rock I have there.

 

[AoD]

I will get more obviously. Just trying to take it slow. Being a noob, I don’t want to add too much too fast. Thanks everyone!

 

[sfin52]

If you want a pair of clowns its better if you get another sooner than later.
How big is your tank

 

[AoD]

30 gallon. I only put one in because so many people told me to just add one fish to start. I’ll be scouting the local LFS next week to add another.

 

[sfin52]

How many lbs of lr

 

[AoD]

20 lbs

 

[AoD]

20 lbs

22 actually

 

[sfin52]

You should be fine with adding a second clown. If you want you can always add some Dr Tim's one and only. I do with adding another fish. Just a little extra bacteria to make sure no ammonia spike. It's like my little security blanket .

 

[Fish.are.friends]

Yeah I’d agree you should be ok adding another. Just check your parameters every few days and if the ammonia starts going up do like a 10% water change.

 

[AoD]

Live sand as well. Hopefully my LFS has some live bacteria, as I have thought of adding some like you said. I live in the upper Midwest so ordering online isn’t an option. It’s frozen solid by the time it arrives. Ha