Clownfish Fry Schooling in Corner?

[MTracyRN]

Hello all, I’m new to the clownfish breeding scene and this is my first attempt at raising the fry. This group is on day 18 post hatch and have been moved to a 20g grow out tank since they are no longer on rotifers. Should I be worried that they are all schooling in the corner of the tank close to the surface? 10-15 of them free swim around the tank but the other 50-60 of them are always huddled up in this top corner of the tank. Makes me worry they aren’t eating enough because only some of them look like they’re getting food when it’s added. Is this normal behavior for them? At first I thought maybe it was the light but under no light, lower light, and full light it is all the same response.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I am only guessing here, but hanging out in a corner is very normal for adult clowns, so why wouldn't babies do the same?

 

[GARRIGA]

I'd go find a corner where I in some strange place and genetically engineered to go swim the open expanse called the ocean

 

[MTracyRN]

I am only guessing here, but hanging out in a corner is very normal for adult clowns, so why wouldn't babies do the same?

This was my initial thought as I’ve had some clowns do some weird stuff, just wasn’t sure

 

[manzoherz]

Good morning! With my latest hatch of clownfish I've had a lot more success so far with around 40 alive at day 15 and everyone developing nice striping. I'm going to now move them to a grow out tank as the ammonia control is too challenging in the fry tank. But my concern is, that despite trying to feed them TDO-A and then TDO-B1 and whilst some of them nibble at it, the majority just ignore it in the water. I've now stopped any rotifers and have two sponge filters in the fry tank. If I'm not seeing them eat the powder, is it too risky to move them into a grow out tank with no rotifers, or will they very quickly adapt to the powder once rotifers are no longer all around them? Mine are also hanging out in one corner of the tank!

 

[MTracyRN]

Good morning! With my latest hatch of clownfish I've had a lot more success so far with around 40 alive at day 15 and everyone developing nice striping. I'm going to now move them to a grow out tank as the ammonia control is too challenging in the fry tank. But my concern is, that despite trying to feed them TDO-A and then TDO-B1 and whilst some of them nibble at it, the majority just ignore it in the water. I've now stopped any rotifers and have two sponge filters in the fry tank. If I'm not seeing them eat the powder, is it too risky to move them into a grow out tank with no rotifers, or will they very quickly adapt to the powder once rotifers are no longer all around them? Mine are also hanging out in one corner of the tank!

If anything I would try and supplement with frozen or live baby brine, they should take to the TDO after a while. I would also Try and premix the TDO with a little water so it goes into the water column and doesn’t just sit on top of the water. I had to do that for the smaller TDO powders

 

[manzoherz]

If anything I would try and supplement with frozen or live baby brine, they should take to the TDO after a while. I would also Try and premix the TDO with a little water so it goes into the water column and doesn’t just sit on top of the water. I had to do that for the smaller TDO powders

Thank you - I had thought about baby brine but I'd read a few posts saying to be careful as the fry can eat too many and their stomachs burst. I think that's a good call re mixing in with a little water - some of them are definitely now responding to the powder on the surface but not all. Thanks again!

 

[manzoherz]

Good morning - well at 3.5 months out I have 30 juveniles in their grow out tank and eating TDO and myces. In the last week 5 have died - I wake up and one will just be lying on the tank floor. No sign of any distress during the day. Only one of the five seemed to be deformed (super bulging eyes and short fins) the rest all seem healthy - slightly paler than some of their siblings but by no means the smallest ones in the tank. We have two air sponges going, live rock, ammonia at 0.2, weekly water change of around 30%. Has anyone got experience of this - I had thought that once they got through meta and were eating well that we'd be in the safe zone. I can't see any active bullying even though there is one fish that is way bigger than the rest and quite attached to his live rock. Thoughts very much welcome.

 

[D-Nak]

It's normal to lose a few fish along the way. It really is survival of the fittest and that's totally fine. Sometimes fish just aren't eating enough or have deformities that aren't visible. Issues will gills come to mind.

 

[manzoherz]

It's normal to lose a few fish along the way. It really is survival of the fittest and that's totally fine. Sometimes fish just aren't eating enough or have deformities that aren't visible. Issues will gills come to mind.

Thank you - I guess I'm worrying that having them all in the same grow out means there will be bullying going on and perhaps the weaker ones would survive if I split the tank a bit and had fewer in each section. There are definitely some who seem to be breathing more rapidly so perhaps there are issues with gills and other not so visible deformities.

 

[D-Nak]

I think keeping them in a big group might actually be better because it spreads the bullying out. Also, provide multiple hiding spots--this way the more dominant fish can't be too territorial. I use short pieces of PVC pipe stacked to form a pyramid to create "caves" that the fish can hide in.

 

[manzoherz]

I think keeping them in a big group might actually be better because it spreads the bullying out. Also, provide multiple hiding spots--this way the more dominant fish can't be too territorial. I use short pieces of PVC pipe stacked to form a pyramid to create "caves" that the fish can hide in.

that's a great idea - i'll head to the hardware store today - thanks

 

[manzoherz]

that's a great idea - i'll head to the hardware store today - thanks

Two more died overnight and have the same super swollen belly. Here's some pics in case anyone has seen this kind of thing before. The others are all swimming around happy (although not yet using the lovely tubes i set up for them) but this is now the 10th death in 10 days. Did a 50% water change yesterday, ammonia is 0, alkalinity and Ph all good. Could this really be that they are at 4 months of age and suddenly genetic defects impact them? Really not sure what to do and worried the whole clutch will die off one by one. Any insights much appreciated.