Clowns being clowns?

[OnePuffMan]

I'm not sure if my clowns are being clowns or having issues. Most "on their side" thread are about them being on the bottom, but mine are on the top.

This is in a 30 gallon QT tank running as my primary is being built. 2 Wyoming Whites, 1 Foxface, 1 bullet goby. It has sand and multiple hiding spots. I have noticed that the clowns have been staying at the top of the tank a lot recently and then at night (after lights off) seem to spend a fair amount of time on swimming sideways at the top of the tank. There are zero signs of illness and they eat very well. The goby and foxface have become friends but spend a vast majority of their time hiding from everything so I do not think bullying is the issue, though both are about 4-5" long.

Tank was started in may, "broken in" with damsels, then the clowns and Foxface were added in June. The bullet (sleeper banded) was added in mid-July. The only change is that I am bringing my QT tank from 1.020 salinity to 1.025 by 0.0005-0.001 per week over the last few weeks. My current is 1.023, temp has remained steady at 78F. Ammonia (per API test) is 0.25, but I know that is within error for that kit. The other two fish have no issues aside from being afraid at anything that passes by.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have noticed that the clowns have been staying at the top of the tank a lot recently and then at night (after lights off) seem to spend a fair amount of time on swimming sideways at the top of the tank.

In lieu of an anemone or coral, they are probably using that part of the tank as a "host". Especially when they do it at night.
When I first had my clowns, they always "wiggle-slept" in one corner of the tank at the top. I just called their bedroom.

 

[KrisReef]

Clownfishes. They have that name because they are goofy? Mine just figured out what their anemone was for. Before that they hid in various corners of the tank and swam around, ate, but never really acted like fish are supposed too.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Clownfishes. They have that name because they are goofy? Mine just figured out what their anemone was for. Before that they hit in various corners of the tank ans swam around, ate, but never really acted like fish are supposed too.

Mine took almost a year to "find" the BTA.

 

[X-37B]

I have a clown in my frag system that never leaves the large frogspawn. I have had both for 6 years now.

I have a pair of false percula that were very small when I got them.
They were in my 120 for about a year and a half. They are now in my 30g remote fuge. I added a 5 year old anemone from a persons tank breakdown about a week ago. They are totaly different now that they are living in it. I will always have clowns in at least one of my systems.

 

[KrisReef]

Mine took almost a year to "find" the BTA.

Mine were cleaning the bottom in the right corner of the tank, so I moved a rock with a fresh split into their space. I had to pull the nem back to keep them from not leaving the corner.

Then I moved it closer so the tentacles were invading their clearing. It took them a week to move in, it's been a few days now. This is what happens with these tank raised fish that did not grow up with anemones in the wild.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I just left mine alone. I figured if it ever happened it would be a nice surprise... and it was

 

[vetteguy53081]

Clowns
Class clowns
Goofy

 

[reef_1]

I have noticed that the clowns have been staying at the top of the tank a lot recently and then at night (after lights off) seem to spend a fair amount of time on swimming sideways at the top of the tank.

Thats how they sleep

 

[Ruzoko]

Yeah, they are just being clowns, ironically your title is roughly what mine was for the same reason lol. My own clowns decided to host the overflow box and stay at the top of the tank 24/7. The only thing I recommend is you be sure there is no way for them to jump, had one somehow get into my overflow box and thankfully found him behind it in the 3x3 square.