Strange clown

Javen · Nov 3, 2015

I have been dealing with his problem for a few weeks now but am just now asking you. I have a false percula clown fish and for a few weeks now he has been hiding out by a little rock/cave. He rarely come out unless it's time too eat but he swims really fast grabs a piece of food and goes back to the rock/cave. today I looked under the rock he stays at and it has something on it that I have never seen and it's not on any other rock. I had another clown a month or more ago but he is gone now. I know he's not lonely because for the most time he swam with my 3 chromises . and they got along great. What is it on the rock and why does he look like he is protecting it

Hawain_Rob · Nov 3, 2015

Picture?

steelheader.262 · Nov 3, 2015

Eggs maybe ???

Tahoe61 · Nov 3, 2015

Clowns in the wild live in groups at or near the base of anemones. They are not huge swimmers like a tang or fox. Once they feel safe in a territory they stay close by. I have had clowns do exactly what your describing for months. The fish is eating though? Have you offered a variety of foods? Are there other fish that may be intimidating the clown?

Blue Lip · Nov 3, 2015

Its hard to tell without a picture.

Javen · Nov 3, 2015

I have only one fish that is mean and it doesn't bother it. I tried to give a picture but it wouldn't upload. I don't think it's eggs he was the male when the other one left. She was big and definently the female.

Oceansize · Nov 3, 2015

Clown fish are very territorial (they need to be, they're not very efficient swimmers, hence their goofy swimming style and appropriate name).

If they do not have an anemone to host to, they will host to any spot that offers some degree of protection/privacy, a home base of sorts.

So the behavior you're witnessing is perfectly normal for a clown with no anemone. I doubt the thing on the rock makes any difference, although a pic would help.

Oceansize · Nov 3, 2015

Also, from what I read, any clown in a tank with no other clowns will turn female 100% of the time. Not sure how long it takes.

Javen · Nov 3, 2015

Well doesn't it need to be fertilized

Oceansize · Nov 3, 2015

Javen said:
Well doesn't it need to be fertilized

To become female? No.
To lay eggs? Yes.

Doubtful that the thing on the rock is clown fish eggs, unless they've been there since you had two clowns.

Javen · Nov 3, 2015

I know that. What color are eggs

ngvu1 · Nov 3, 2015

Clown fish are not hens. They don't lay eggs without having a pair. Besides, it takes a long time for the pair to feel comfortable enough to lay eggs

I think the clown fish is scared and still adapt to the new environment. That is why he is hiding all the time.

Javen · Nov 3, 2015

No it's not cause he's scared he has been in the tank for a while and has always been comfortable until a few weeks ago

Javen · Nov 3, 2015

He was the most comfortable with me having my hand in there and still is but he loves the rock lol

Oceansize · Nov 3, 2015

Yeah I don't think it's scared, it sounds like it's just being a clownfish, and that lil cavey bit is the best place he can host to since there's no anemone. When a clown is hosted to an anemone, it's behavior is very much like that of a protector. So the fact that your clown is acting like it's protecting that cave means it considers that cave to be it's home. It doesn't necessarily mean it's protecting a brood, it most likely means it's just protecting it's territory. It is normal for them to dart out to grab food and then immediately return to their territory. Doesn't necessarily have to do with protecting eggs at all.