New to forum - questions on clownfish :)

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Patricia Hefner

Patricia Hefner

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I am new to the Saltwater world. But it has been my dream to own a tank since I was 16 years old.
I have studied the hobby, time needed and cost of purchasing and upkeep for a while. The information collected has made me put my dream tank on hold until a several months ago. I have a sitting room that my tank hosts all by itself. This room has become the area the kids and I go to when we want peace and quiet. I absolutely love it. I am a little nervous and excited at the same time. You can never learn enough about this hobby. Any suggestions will be gladly appreciated.

I am told this forum is a good place to find answers to all the odd questions that may arise.
My orange clown fish (Mia) is turning black on top and seems to be making a hole in the sand on the far right end of the tank. Mia runs off anything in the tank that comes near that area and is being very aggressive even towards Pedro; The black clown. Mia does not have any white spots or injuries that I can see. Is it possible that Mia could be changing or nesting?

aquarium.jpg


TANK DESCRIPTION AND PARAMETERS
___________________________________
60 Gallon tank
50 Gallons Water
10 lbs dry rock
50 Live rock
40 lbs Substrate Sea Floor Grade Reef Sand

EQUIPMENT:
AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer
2 HOT Magnum filters with Crystal Cal Activated Carbon 1/2 cup in each pump
1 Power head pump 530 gph
Heater
48" Reef Edge LED Fixtures


Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5
Salinity: 1.022
PH: 8.2
Temperature: 78.2
Phosphate: .25
Calcium: 420
DKH: 9
 
If you do not see any visible white spots, signs of stress, or unusual breathing, then I don't think there's anything to be concerned about regarding his health. Usually the first sign is when they do not eat... I often find unusual markings or things on my fish but it goes away... Sometimes my fish get burn marks from my coral (i'm assuming), but it just fades away and they don't change their behavior or eating habits at all.

Sounds like your clowns haven't paired, and Mia is hosting that area and is guarding it - which is expected

just my 2 cents
 
Welcome to R2R!!
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Sounds like your clowns have found their spot they want to call home :) And picking on eachother is them establishing dominance between them :)
 
WWC
Welcome to R2R! :D

It sounds like your clownfish is maturing and this behavior is very common, the color change as well. Orange clowns, especially captive bred ones, will usually get a little brown on the top of their body as they age. You could also have accidentally purchased a Mocha variant of clownfish, in which case they will turn more brown as they age.

The bigger of the two clowns will become the dominant female and go after any other clowns until they act submissive. Clownfish are super tough so I wouldn't worry about Pedro too much. Eventually they will most likely pair up and always hang out together. You'll occasionally see the submissive male clownfish do what I call the jitters, he is essentially telling the larger female "Hey, you're the boss, please don't leave me, I will love you forever!"
 
Welcome to R2R! Glad you found us.

Patricia Hefner said:
I am a little nervous and excited at the same time.
Click to expand...
Yup; thats' reefing right there. :-)

In terms of the clowns; how long have you had them in the tank? Were they added at the same time? Could you get any close-up pictures of them (of the one you're concerned about, at least)?

The only comment I have on the numbers is that you may want to bring up your salinity some - 1.025 is generally the target. You're not that far off, so no need to panic about it. You can just increase the salinity in your water change water a bit until the salinity comes up to where you want it. May take a week or two; that's fine - slow and slower is the key to reefing.
 
Deltec
Welcome to the Reef! You've come to the right place for help, information and suggestions. Good luck with your Clowns. Sounds like nature is at work and nothing to worry about unless it gets ugly and the little dude can't accept his role and stay in the kitchen where he belongs. ;)
I'd be more concerned about the Firefish. Those guys love to do a permanent disappearing act. ;Wideyed :)
 
Tidal Gardens
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Top Shelf Aquatics
Adele said:
Welcome to the Reef! You've come to the right place for help, information and suggestions. Good luck with your Clowns. Sounds like nature is at work and nothing to worry about unless it gets ugly and the little dude can't accept his role and stay in the kitchen where he belongs. ;)
I'd be more concerned about the Firefish. Those guys love to do a permanent disappearing act. ;Wideyed :)
Click to expand...
I have one fire fish that is always missing. It shows up at feeding only. The other two gracefully take the left front of the tank. So glad my tank is covered. I hear they can jump out. :)
 
Tidal Gardens
@Patricia Hefner
It's great to see that your already in wonderful hands, with sound advise ;Singing
That's what Reef 2 Reef is all about.

We are "all" still learning ;Bookworm day by day and ;Writing it done as we go :confused: :D

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef and hope you feel at home!!

:)
 
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