Fish Hanging Out in One Area

[Joe.D]

Hi All - I’ve searched for something around this topic and didn’t quite find anything matching up to my scenario.

I have a new Red Sea Reefer 350 - heater is in sump. I currently have one RSWave 25 (set for random Wave pattern at 100%) in right front upper portion of my tank (See pics attached). My 2 Clownfish and 3 Banggai Cardinalfish all hang out on that side of the tank either below or behind the wavemaker (none hang out directly in the outflow). Even the Watchman Goby and his Tiger Pistol Shrimp friend stay on that side of the tank - but they have ventured farther toward the middle third of the tank than the others. Other than my snails and hermit crabs, nothing else will go to the left side of the tank.

Today tried feeding on the left side of the tank. 2 of the Cardinalfish swam over - the 3rd one and the Clowns stayed where they were, the Goby came about halfway, but not too far from the shrimp.

Any thoughts?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Hi All - I’ve searched for something around this topic and didn’t quite find anything matching up to my scenario.

I have a new Red Sea Reefer 350 - heater is in sump. I currently have one RSWave 25 (set for random Wave pattern at 100%) in right front upper portion of my tank (See pics attached). My 2 Clownfish and 3 Banggai Cardinalfish all hang out on that side of the tank either below or behind the wavemaker (none hang out directly in the outflow). Even the Watchman Goby and his Tiger Pistol Shrimp friend stay on that side of the tank - but they have ventured farther toward the middle third of the tank than the others. Other than my snails and hermit crabs, nothing else will go to the left side of the tank.

Today tried feeding on the left side of the tank. 2 of the Cardinalfish swam over - the 3rd one and the Clowns stayed where they were, the Goby came about halfway, but not too far from the shrimp.

Any thoughts?

Do you turn off the wavemaker when you feed?

 

[KrisReef]

Dim the lights.

The current and branch rock are providing cover for the tiny fish in an open area.

 

[Karen00]

Did you just add them recently? I know mine tend to stick to one area until they get a sense of what's going on in their environment like making sure an eel isn't living at the other end of the tank. They seem to gain confidence to venture out once they know it's safe or at least know where the safe areas are. The other possibility is that the flow is too much for them beyond the wavemaker. Have you stuck your hand in their to see what the flow feels like in various areas around the tank. I have a 5g and the powerheads I have are too strong for the space so I dampen the flow with a fabric covering. Every now and then I have turned the powerheads back on before putting the coverings back on and my fish do what yours are doing because the flow is too much out in front of the powerheads.

 

[Magic031707]

I agree with the other reefers and also they may can see there reflection...just a thought.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Maybe they are exusted and just finding a pocket/ area to sleep, as your wavemakers you say at 100%.
try reducing to 10% then see behaviour. It's like you going to work on a treadmill all day non stop. Same with fish, they don't swim all the time for our pleasure.
Reduce your flow and I'm sure this will help

 

[adittam]

Everything the previous posters said about flow. Also, you have a bunch of fairly stationary fish. If you want a fish that will explore the tank more, look for a wrasse, dwarf angel, or tang from the Ctenochaetus genus (other genera will get too large).

 

[Joe.D]

Do you turn off the wavemaker when you feed?

Typically, yes. But did not today.

 

[Joe.D]

Maybe they are exusted and just finding a pocket/ area to sleep, as your wavemakers you say at 100%.
try reducing to 10% then see behaviour. It's like you going to work on a treadmill all day non stop. Same with fish, they don't swim all the time for our pleasure.
Reduce your flow and I'm sure this will help

Will give this a shot - I was thinking along these lines. Was why I noted the 100% originally. @additam makes a good point - these aren’t prolific swimmers. Looking to add a White Tail or Tomini Tang down the road. Will look at a wrasse too for some movement. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[adittam]

Will give this a shot - I was thinking along these lines. Was why I noted the 100% originally. @additam makes a good point - these aren’t prolific swimmers. Looking to add a White Tail or Tomini Tang down the road. Will look at a wrasse too for some movement. Thanks for the feedback!

You're gonna love the white tail or tomini tang. Great fish!

If you're looking at wrasse, if you have a sandbed, I'd strongly suggest one of the Halichoeres genus. There are many species that have great colors, and all are active swimmers and helpful with pest control.

 

[Joe.D]

Did you just add them recently? I know mine tend to stick to one area until they get a sense of what's going on in their environment like making sure an eel isn't living at the other end of the tank. They seem to gain confidence to venture out once they know it's safe or at least know where the safe areas are. The other possibility is that the flow is too much for them beyond the wavemaker. Have you stuck your hand in their to see what the flow feels like in various areas around the tank. I have a 5g and the powerheads I have are too strong for the space so I dampen the flow with a fabric covering. Every now and then I have turned the powerheads back on before putting the coverings back on and my fish do what yours are doing because the flow is too much out in front of the powerheads.

Yes - pretty new. Cardinalfish have only been in for a few days. Clowns a few weeks.

 

[Grumblez]

Yes - pretty new. Cardinalfish have only been in for a few days. Clowns a few weeks.

Bangai Cardinalfish basically bob in one section of the tank all day, only moving to eat or when they start getting aggressive with each other and chasing each other around the tank.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

They could all just be happy where they are. Clowns never really move, and it could be that the cardinals are friendly with the clowns and hang out with them, it happens. And as mentioned above, if you released them in that area, they are very likely to stay there for a while. I think its more interesting to observe rather than interfere.

 

[AKL1950]

Little side note. When my fish were in QT, I wouldn’t turn the pumps off to feed. They would all just chase the food everywhere. I put three of them in the DT last week. Two clowns and a Tomini. So far they have picked low flow areas and do a little scouting once in a while. When I feed, since I can, I would turn off all the pumps and power heads. All three would ignore the food. Even if I put it right where they were. So, I decided to change things. I turned the return pump off and left the four MP-40s full blast. Food was flying everywhere and all three fish wold chasing it all over the tank To catch it. Takes them about 6 minutes to catch it all, but seems they didn’t like stationary food. They like the chase. Once the food is gone, they go back to their safe harbor low flow areas.

Jetson