Just Got Clownfish and one is staying in a corner

cas_aquatics

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I just bought 2 ocellaris clownfish for my 14g reef tank, he is staying in one side of the tank so im a bit worried, can someone explain if it’s normal behavior?
 

workhz

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Might be a good idea to do a search for clown behavior. They do the oddest things so hopefully yours is ok and is just being its odd self.
 

vetteguy53081

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update: he’s sticking to the glass now
Often this is typical behavior of clowns especially if there are other occupants in the tank. They will hover in lower corner, face up in an upper corner (like theyre being cornered) and even hiding. If you have lights on bright, lowering to even blue only will relax them a little.
You can drop a tiny helping of brine shrimp and see if they come down and go after it.

is fish breathing normal or labored?
Is this a newer tank? If so- did you acclimate fish?
What is current ammonia and nitrate level and also salinity and temperature of tank?
 
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C

cas_aquatics

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Often this is typical behavior of clowns especially if there are other occupants in the tank. They will hover in lower corner, face up in an upper corner (like theyre being cornered) and even hiding. If you have lights on bright, lowering to even blue only will relax them a little.
You can drop a tiny helping of brine shrimp and see if they come down and go after it.

is fish breathing normal or labored?
Is this a newer tank? If so- did you acclimate fish?
What is current ammonia and nitrate level and also salinity and temperature of tank?
I don’t have other fish and it’s a 3 month old tank, they are the first inhabitants other than corals. Though they just started moving more and are eating
 

vetteguy53081

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I don’t have other fish and it’s a 3 month old tank, they are the first inhabitants other than corals. Though they just started moving more and are eating
Great. They do this when new. Theyre like cats - cats when new hide under the bed and in time come out of hiding :)
 

Rmckoy

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Might be a good idea to do a search for clown behavior. They do the oddest things so hopefully yours is ok and is just being its odd self.
I’ve always been told google can come up with some pretty odd things
This could be on of those topics where a simple search turns out to be R rated
 

Rmckoy

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Often this is typical behavior of clowns especially if there are other occupants in the tank. They will hover in lower corner, face up in an upper corner (like theyre being cornered) and even hiding. If you have lights on bright, lowering to even blue only will relax them a little.
You can drop a tiny helping of brine shrimp and see if they come down and go after it.

is fish breathing normal or labored?
Is this a newer tank? If so- did you acclimate fish?
What is current ammonia and nitrate level and also salinity and temperature of tank?
As the clownfish get used to the tank .
they will hang up self down in the same corner.
But the sight or smell of human hands the fangs come out .
 

Rmckoy

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This reminds me …

there used to be a user on here . And I quoted every time there was a “ is this normal clownfish behaviour post “ I was supposed to tag that user .

I believe “ Texas “ was part of the username
 

workhz

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I’ve always been told google can come up with some pretty odd things
This could be on of those topics where a simple search turns out to be R rated
Very very very likely but a search on here will only yield pg-13 (but more likely than not PG or G).
 

OctaviusBrine

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Is he captive bread I know sometimes if they are they pick a corner as that is what they are used too. I have a few one always slept in the top corner by my light mount. And in my other tank I swear the little guy has never left the corner with the power head it’s like he paired with it.
 

The_Skrimp

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Definitely not an emergency. That fish will very likely live most of its life in that one corner because that’s just how clownfish are.

This can actually make it easier for you to place an anemone or coral for them to live in eventually because you already know where they like to hang out.
 
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NkSde

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Some clowns just have to scope out the area.
They’ve been in various boxes and planes since they hatched. Glad they are eating and showing signs of life
 

workhz

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As a datapoint. My 2 clowns that I’ve had for 2 years sleep in the top left corner. I don’t know what their infatuation is with corners and power heads. They used to surf the currents but not so much anymore.
 

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