Killer clowns   11/5/06
Quick question for you guys. I have a 2 year old tomato clown pair, the female is close to 3 inches and crazy aggressive lately.
<Not atypical>
  Taking to dislodging a certain rock in the tank. Which in turns lands on top of a colony of Acropora coral. Was wondering for a quick fix would using aquarium sealant silicon be strong enough to keep the rock in place?
<Mmm, better to modify the habitat...>
  Any remedy for the hand attacking and bites that draw blood from the little pit-bull in my tank?
<Moving to larger quarters mostly>
I thought at first it was maybe protecting eggs but I can see no sign of any. Tank is a 16 gal. bowfront with just the pair of tomato clowns as residents.
<Way too small a volume for this species>
  I am reluctant to trade them out for new fish, they are a beautiful pair. Just looking for a suggestion or two.
  Thanks dudes
  Pete
<A bigger system... Bob Fenner>

Re: follow up to killer clowns   11/5/06
I just answered my last email to you guys. A little closer of  a look, well a lot closer, and I discovered a batch of eggs. Hence the crazy aggressive tactics from the female tomato clown. Moved the rock she dislodges to the eco system filter and all should be ok.
  Any chance that the clown larvae may survive and make it into the refugium? Pretty much impossible for me to get to the eggs.
     Thanks again
  Pete
<Mmm, not much possibility here... too crowded. BobF>

Clowns Fighting 10/24
Hello "Crew" -
I was hoping you could lend me a little advice.  I have (2) clowns that I originally got when they were no more then the size of a quarter.
<Very small.>
Since they have both grown over the course of a year and half ( of course ).  One is about 2" long while the other is ~ an inch and a half.
They used to occasionally fight, but no signs of either getting hurt.
Just recently, ( last 2 weeks ) they have started fighting a bit more aggressively to include some scarring around each of their mouths.  They live in a 100 gallon tank with plenty of food, lighting, flow, etc.
Their appetites have not decreased.
<This sometimes happens at sexual maturity.>
Lastly, not sure if this is important, but they both reside 90% of their time in the same corner of the tank.  
<Perfectly normal - so do mine.>
Do I need to add an anem, change something around, remove one ( really do not want to ) ?
<I wouldn't get an anemone unless this tank is specifically for that interaction.  This is very common, all I can suggest is keep a very close eye on them.  If it gets out of hand then remove one and put in your QT.  Reintroduce a bit later and perform the same steps.>
Thanks for any help you can be.
<No problem, hope this helps, Jen S.>
       Eric

Biting Tomato Clown 10/22
Hi Crew. I have just put my old tomato clown in my new tank a few days ago.
He/she has been with me for more than five years and has never had an anemone before. Now I got him/her a bubble tip anemone and he/she is so in love with it. He/she has become very aggressive and will bite my fingers whenever I put my hands in the tank.
<Just establishing territory here.  Especially with its new "home.">
He/she seems not very interested in food in the last few days but looks very healthy and shows no sign of diseases. He/she has never been that aggressive. I am just a bit worried about his loss of appetite. Is it normal? Is there anything I can do about it? Thank you very much for your advice in advance.
<Just keep an eye on it.  Give frozen foods or anything other that may entice it to eat.  This will most likely pass, but keep a close eye anyway.  Good luck, Jen S.>

Clownfish Question 10/14/06
I recently purchased two True Percula clownfish in hopes of them becoming a mated pair. Since then I have noticed them getting close to each other and one going on his side and shaking/vibrating.  
<Quite normal when pairing>
Does this sound like any kind of mating dance?
<They are just establishing dominance>
They do not seem to be fighting at all, it’s quite cute. My second question is if you think I might be able to support a second pair of Black Perculas or Tomato Clowns in my 100 gallon long tank? I know there are often problems with this but I just thought a five foot tank might be okay? What do you think?
Thanks, Ed
<Ed – Your clowns are pairing up and their behavior is normal.  I wouldn’t recommend adding more clowns to the tank just for the overall health of the initial pair.  Cheers! - Dr. J>

Baby Clownfish... beh.  9/26/06
We have the twenty-something size nano-cube. Yesterday we added a tank raised 3/4 inch baby black perc (BTW - He is THE cutest fish baby in the world). Since we added him to the tank he has been constantly swimming against the current of the power head (which we upgraded) in the front left corner - top of the water) It is wearing me out watching him swim constantly. We even cut the powerhead off a couple of times yesterday to see if he would slow his roll a little and that's about all he did. He did move around a little more but as far as we know he never settled down last night. (yes we were both up periodically checking on him) We have no intentions of adding an anemone.
Tank has been established for 6-8 mo.s with lots of live rock, Polys, mushrooms and soft corals. A pearly jawfish, cleaner shrimp, camel shrimp, snails, hermit crabs and the live rock creatures, including baby stars and a good sized crab we've only seen twice and moves so fast we can't identify.
<Keep your eye on this... predaceous>
  Water is balanced. We've been doing tanks for over 10 years (and we are quite taken with this little nano- cube.) Have larger tanks to move baby perc to if needed but would   rather wait until he gets too mean or too big.
He is the first tank bred baby we have not to mention he was $60 and   I am worried he is going to wear his little self out swimming   constantly.
Thanks and we love your site!!! ~D & M
<Thank you, BobF>

Clowns Acting Weird 9/19/06
Hi
<Greetings>
I've recently purchased one large female clown and since then have added a smaller one. I was told they would get along fine however the larger one won’t let the smaller one leave a certain area of the tank. It will dart at it if the smaller one goes out to far. They keep quivering at one another as well. <Very Common> Somehow only the larger one is showing aggression, while the smaller one is trying to escape from it. Should I separate the two? <No> Is the smaller one in any real danger?
Dani
<Dani – your clowns are perfectly healthy and ok.  The larger one (female) is usually the aggressive one.  She won’t let the male leave the area where she would like to nest in.  When the male quivers, he is just submitting to her. She will nip at him, but don’t worry…just sit back and enjoy nature at its finest. Cheers – Dr. J>

Clownfish Behavior  9/15/06
Hi,
<Hello Pat>
I have a 24 gal nano tank running  about 3 months.  Why all of a sudden the clownie be at the top of the tank in the am?  At night he is an his corner when I get up in the am he is at the top over where the water filters.  He seems to have a buoyancy <buoyancy> problem.  He struggles to get down to the bottom.  Am I making something out of nothing?  When I turn the lights on he seems to struggle down to the bottom.  I had a pH problem but fixed that, I think.  What would make a fish have a buoyancy <buoyancy> problem, the other fish in the tank are not bothered by whatever.  I am so used to seeing him on the bottom part of the tank that this seems strange.
<You didn't mention what kind of clown, but I'm pretty sure it is a percula.  Not uncommon behavior for these guys.  I also have a pair of them and
they seem to prefer the upper level during the evening.>
Thanks for your support.  
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>

Ocellaris Fight? Oh, yes... can indeed   9/4/06
Hello.
<Greetings>
Today I bought a Bubble tip anemone for my two baby ocellaris clowns.  They got along fine until the anemone was introduced.
They just finished a huge jaw locking and sparring match, in which one remained in the anemone, while the other has been banished to the  
back of the tank.
<Dominance...>
They are both the same size, and the tank is a 24 gallon nano cube.
<This tank size may be real trouble here>
What happened?  Are they hooking up?  Are they over each other?
<As you state, speculate, are coming of age, "deciding" which will be the female... driving the other out... in the wild, likely to its doom... in such small confines, too  likely the same>
Do they need to be separated?
<Yes, I would... at least in a floating colander, breeding net/trap arrangement... for a few weeks...>
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Jennifer
<Then, with you present, the "loser" released for careful observation... Hopefully acceptance as the sub-dominant male of this pair. Bob Fenner>

Re: Ocellaris Fight?   9/5/06
Hello Bob Fenner,
<Ron>
Thanks for your reply.  You have done wonders for our hobby!!!  The clowns seem to have stopped fighting.  One shimmers and turns on it's side when they start getting aggressive.
<Good... submissive beh.>
I think I will keep a close eye on them for now.
Are you saying the tank is too small?
<Is>
It's just the two of them, the anemone, live rock/sand, and critters...
<... should "something" go sideways... power outage, overfeeding... little time/margin in such a small volume>
The tank and it's parameters are doing excellent!
Thanks again....
Ronnie Shingelo
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Three different factors. Clownfish beh., Koran Angel Sys., SW filtr.   8/21/06
Dear Mr. Bob Fenner
<Rachel>
Hope everything is fine there!
<Yes my friend. Thank you>
I need your option on three different factors.
I have an 80G with 1 Bannerfish 4”, 1 Hippo tang 3.5” and 1 Clownfish 1.5”. My Banner and the Hippo are very peaceful but as I added my Clarkii Clown 5 days ago it hides behind my Power-head but comes out and swims around when food is added and then he goes and hides again. Do you think he is in stress?
<Yes... but normal, to be expected. Takes a while to "get settled in">
and as a result will be infected with Parasites or something?
<Mmm, no... or at least not necessarily>
Until now I had no such outbreaks for almost a year now. I am just worried as I have heard sometimes stress will initiate bad outbreaks.
<Correct... hence the desire for quarantine, careful observation>
Do you think I should remove the small clown? Or if I introduce another 1.5” or 2” Clarkii clown, will it make things positive?
<I would start quarantining a/the new Clownfish if you intend to add one...>
Can I add a Koran Angel fish 3” to my 80G?
<Mmm, no, not really... this Pomacanthus will grow to be too large, cause too much stress in this sized setting>
I know this is a large angel and my tank will soon be smaller. How soon do you think this will happen?
<Months...>
Or is the fish already too big for my 80G?
<Nearly>
I can return this fish if it grows too large to my LFS. So do you think it’s alright to introduce this fish to my tank at the size of 3"?
<Not a good idea>
I need to know what equipment I will need to maintain my tank perfectly. I already have 1 Large Canister Filter with 3 bags of Activated Carbon and Bio-balls, 2 Power-heads, 1 Protein Skimmer with another Power-head, 1 UV-Sterilizer 9W, 1 Air Pump & a Heater. What else do you recommend I use to maintain perfect water quality?
<Mmm... you could experiment with a sump/refugium... but what you list along with diligent maintenance will do fine. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm
and the linked files above, particularly "Rationale">
I want my Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate at perfect 0-levels. Do you think a wet-dry filter is a good idea?
<Actually no. Please read here re: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wetdryfaqs.htm
and the linked files above>
Please let me know what you think. Thanks, Best regards,
Rachel
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Re: AQUARIA CHINA 2006 - China's Most Exclusive Event for the Ornamental Aquatic Fish Industry! Amphiprion Beh.   8/4/06
Bob
Am not sure right now. Tiger Air is only charging Sing$306 including tax for the return flight so it is very tempting.
<What a bargain... as usual. Wish we had real leadership, an economy...>
I need to fly to Shanghai  FOR THE dive show in the last week of Sept.
<Why not just stay, tour the whole month?>
If you want side trips we can meet up in Malaysia. You can join our crew filming the training videos for ITDA.
<Mmm...>
Bob, I remember you telling me during the Redang trip that the clown fishes at one of the sites were acting unusual. Can you recall what it was about?
<Yes. It is extremely rare for any one species of Amphiprionae to "gang up" with another and confront a potential predator... all Clownfishes are found
in close association with 10 species of large actinarians... and these in turn are almost always "protected" by the same species of clowns... In
Redang, multiple species (I recall seven) were seen to "greet" the divers on approach... Very interesting. Bob F>
Perry

Maroon Clownfish/Behavior  - 07/30/06
Hello!
<Joe>
I just recently bought a young Maroon Clownfish from a local pet shop. Ever since I bought the little guy he only swims at the top of the tank. The only time he will venture any further down from the top is when I feed him, and even then it seems like it's afraid to go too far. I have a small tank, the only other living things in there are a Bubble Tip Anemone (Which I had for almost a month now and seems to be thriving)
<Small tanks aren't suitable for anemones.>
and 2 turbo snails. I have plenty of live rock and live sand. I heard that sometimes the tank may be too bare, so 3 days ago I went out and got 2 plastic plants and another small sculpture for the bottom of the tank. this did nothing as the clown still stays at the top. I can't figure out whats wrong, please help!
<Not uncommon behavior for newly introduced clownfish.  Give it some time.  Live rock would be more suitable than plastic plants and ornaments.  It gives you a means of making caves/grottos, a good denitrification source, and adds to the feeling of security for the fish.  Here is a link to an article on Maroon Clowns.  You may also want to read the above links on the article page.  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/maroonclnart.htm
James (Salty Dog)>

Clownfish swimming beh.  07/21/06
I just introduced an ocellaris clownfish (tank bred) to my fish only system.
He seems to swim around very quickly... back and forth. At night, when the aquarium lights turn off, he still swims back and forth, though at a slower rate and mostly close to the top. Is this normal? My water quality is quite good. specific gravity is about 1.022, temperature is pretty stable at about 79 degrees F. Ammonia and nitrite levels are very near zero. I feed him frozen brine shrimp, which he eats, but not as aggressively as my firefish, which was introduced 2 weeks earlier. Besides the clownfish and the firefish, I also have a Wheeler's Watchman goby, 2 Cerith snails, and 1 camel shrimp (I had 2 but 1 has been missing for a week and I found an empty
shell of the upper half of his body - do they molt eyes, antenna and all?) everyone seems to be acting very normal except for the clown. Any answers or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
-dave
<<David:  This behavior is normal for a clown without an anemone to call home.  When you first get a clown, the most important thing is to get it to eat consistently.  Eventually, it might find something to host in.  I had clowns that had gone years without an anemone and they always swam and slept near the top of the tank.  I added an anemone and they didn't decide to host for several months.  Now, the same clowns never stray more than a few inches from the anemone.  You can keep a clown for years without an anemone.  Best of luck,  Roy>>

Clownfish beh. question  7/18/06
Hello everyone at WWM,
<Jessica>
I recently stumbled across your awesome website, and I have to say good job!!  Well, my boyfriend and I recently started a 29 gallon saltwater tank (BioWheel, 50/50 bulb, live sand, live rock), and we let it "cycle".  When it was ready, we added 2 clownfish (1 small 1 large to prevent fighting), and a yellow watchman goby (very neat fish!).  Well, our 2 clownfish, barely over 1 inch each, have been acting funny when the lights go out at night...
<They are "Clowns"...>
they do synchronized dances, one twitches and shows off, they brush up against each other, and they dig ditches during the day so at night they can curl up together in the sand. (They do this in the company of Elmer, the goby, when he's done cleaning at night).  I've even noticed a small sac- looking deal that is attached to a piece of our live rock (what!?).
<Not related to these fishes... some sort of other life>
They love each other's company, never leave each other's side, and have never been aggressive.  So my question is, they're awfully small to be mating, and too small to have babies, so are they just practicing and flirting?
<Mmm, yes>
And what is the sac floating around on the rock?
<Likely some invertebrate animal feeding strategy... many possibilities. Not a worry>
  I appreciate your time!  I'm just confused!!!
Jessica
<Thank you for writing, sharing. Bob Fenner>

True percula fading, sick?  - 06/30/06
Hey guy's, Thanks for your site it's very educational and addictive.
<Good... Must needs be informative to be of value (intrinsic or not) and of interest to attract use...>
I have a 58 gal tank with:
20 blue leg hermits
3 turbo snails
10 Nassarius snails
4 astrea snails
75-100 lbs of live rock
2-3 inch sand bed
1 long tipped anemone
<Problematical...>
Lots of copepods and amphipods
1 small yellow tang, 1 mandarin goby, and 2 true perculas NH3/NH4+-0.1, NO3--10, KH-180, NO2--0.1, PO43--0.25, Fe2+-0, Ca2
+-450, pH-8.2, Temp. 76-78° F
<Mmm, ammonia/ium and nitrites should be zip, nada, undetectable...>
I have two true Percs neither of them seems to be eating.  I have had one of them (now 5cm in length) for about 3 months.  Initially he  
just stayed in one corner of the aquarium just swimming up and down showing no interest in the anemone or the rest of the tank (I know  
now that long tips are not ideal for perculas).  However, he was a very good eater (daily) and would often even snatch food right from  
the mouth of my glutinous tang.  I decided to purchase another percula for my tank in hopes that the two clowns would form some type  
of friendly relationship.  The new guy is a bit smaller (about 3.5cm in length).  I quarantined him for a week and he seemed to be doing  
fine.  He was even a heartier eater than my other clown and would just attack any type of food I put in his tank (frozen brine, Mysis,  
squid, and shrimp).  I decided it was time for the two to meet and when they did they hit it off beautifully.  The new perc led the  
older one strait to the anemone, one of them did a little dance, and now they are inseparable (two clowns and a long tip anemone).  This  
was 2 weeks ago at which time they were eating daily as usual.  However about I week ago I noticed the color starting to fade from  
the smaller perc (slightly less orange and much less black).
<Natural actually...>
No other lesions are present.  Also neither of the fish would eat anymore.
<Perhaps other behaviors on their minds>
  They would initially go to the food but barely even mouth it and if they did they would spit it back out immediately.  I spot  
feed them with a baster but they now show no interest in any of the frozen foods or even pellet foods soaked in garlic and vitamins.  I  
tried soaking all their food and even adding garlic and vitamins to the tank water in accordance with the instructions on the bottles.  
Yesterday I purchased a bag of live baby brine shrimp and the smaller faded percula ate these shrimp with gusto but the larger one  
continued to show no interest. I have also noticed that their feces are light beige colored and stringy (do not remember if this is a  
departure from usual).  I am wondering if maybe finding an anemone might cause them to lose their appetite or if the anemone could be  
feeding the fish and they are just full.
<Most likely the former>
  Maybe these guys are sick?   
If so how should I go about treating them?
<... depends on principal cause/s...>
Should I buy a bag of live brine every day?  How often do these guys need to feed and how often should they be willing to feed?
<Posted... on WWM>
   Also just out of curiosity, how old do you think my Percs are being 3.5-5cm long (1.5-2 inches)?   
<A year or so, less than a year...>
Thank you for your time and advice.
Charles, in OK
<Please take the long re-read of our offerings on the Amphiprionines in captivity, consider switching/trading out the LTA... It is mis-placed here. Bob Fenner>

- Clownfish Growth Rates 6/24/06 -
Hi Crew,
Thanks again for your expertise.  I can't seem to find good info about growth rates for clownfish. <Probably because it's not one of those things that is 100% consistent. Many factors can effect growth rate, and for certain aquaria is an artifice so... not easy to predict.> I have two juveniles that are either Ocellaris or Percula's (two small to know for sure) temporarily in a ten gallon with 12 pounds of live rock.  They will be moved to a 55 gallon when the live rock cures and water conditions are good enough.  The question is, how fast do these guys grow? <Depends on what you're used to. In my opinion the true and false perculas are not particularly quick growers. Now if we were talking about an Emperor snapper or common batfish... those you can watch grow.> Both were bought together when neither was larger than a dime.  Now, the soon to be female is larger than a quarter and the other has grown a little.  I want to now how long I have to get the larger tank ready. <I wouldn't rely on their growth rate to get this tank ready... I just get it going as soon as possible and move them.> The 10 gallon water parameters are; am/nitrite:0 and nitrate: around 5ppm.  They are healthy and seem to be thriving, but I've heard that a 10 gallon is much too small for adults and I don't want to stress or crowd them. <10 gallon tanks are really too small for any fish over the long haul... fine for quarantine, but would move them to the new system as soon as possible.> The tank currently holds the clowns, a camel shrimp, 1 turbo, 2 Nerites, and 3 small red leg hermits.  Also, when I move the clowns, is there anything cool that can be done with such a small tank? <Quarantine tank.> Try my hands at corals maybe, or is that a recipe for failure? <The smaller the tank, the less forgiving it is going to be... you decide.>
Thanks,
Matt
<Cheers, J -- >

Clownfish Fighting   6/11/06
I tried to send this message before, but I don't think it actually sent.
<Thanks for re-sending... We do have "mail issues" for sure>
If it did, I'm sorry, but here's my problem. After a year and a half, my female Clarkii Clown decided to attack the smaller male.
<Very common in this species of Clownfish and a few others... particularly trouble in small confines...>
They have never laid eggs, so I thought it might be spawning behavior.
<Only partly>
The male was pretty beat up, but had found a nice hiding spot under a large rock, so I left him in the tank.
<... not a good idea>
By the time I got home from work, he was dead. They were fine the night before. They ate together with no aggression at all. All of their fins were in perfect shape. The female would chase the male away sometimes when I would feed them, but she had stopped that months ago. They had not shown any kind of aggression in months. Then she just decided to attack the male. They are the only two fish in a 50 gallon aquarium with a 10 gallon sump.
<Still, not that much room...>
The tank has five BTA, that started as one, some xenias, hermits crabs, and a shrimp. I haven't added anything to the aquarium in about a year. Both fish have
roughly doubled in size. The female is probably about 4 inches, and the male was around 3. It just seems so strange that after so long, she would just attack him so viciously. The smaller male was very dark.
<Stress coloration>
When I first got them they looked very similar, but after time they really started to look different. The female looks like an ordinary Clark's, but the male was very dark with two wide stripes. Even if they were two species, I don't know why they would be fine for so long. I just don't know what to think. Should I add another Clark's soon?
<Likely not possible...>
I'm worried if the large female is alone for too long she will become too territorial to add another fish.
<Too late for this>
She already bites me when I put my hand in the tank. I was even thinking of removing her, and looking for another pair to replace her.
<Not this species, please>
I actually have a pair of beautiful tank raised Ocellaris
<Ahhh! Much better>
in another tank, but I think they're staying put. Any ideas on why this happened, and how to prevent it?
<Natural behavior, with no room to "run away">
Its so frustrating and sad to put so much time and effort into these fish, and then have them kill each other. Thanks.
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clncompfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Growing/changing clownfish beh.  6/5/06
Hi,
<Hello>
I have been reading a lot on your site and I think it's helped me out a lot. Anyway, I have read enough to pretty much know that my percula
clownfish are starting to duke it out to see who will become the dominant one. As of now I can probably tell who is going to become the female because the other one is staring to look ragged (lots of fin nips). As of now I have the bigger one in a breading tank just so I can separate the two. My question is should I keep the big one in the breading tank or let them duke it out on their own. I just don't want to see anyone die but if their fine with fighting I'll let the one out.
<This is very normal behavior.  Sometimes it can get excessive, but not likely.  I would put them back together and keep a very close eye on them.  How big is your tank by the way - anything smaller than maybe a 20 gallon really isn't suitable and may be the cause of your problem.  Good luck, Jen S.>
It's a 30 Gl.  And wow that was a really fast response thank you so much!!
You should be fine with a 30 gal.  Like I said, just keep an eye on them.  There is a small chance that they will never get along.  It happens.  Then I suggest one goes back to the LFS or in another tank if you got one!
Have a great night,
Jen S.

Fishy clown behavior    5/24/06
Hola WetWeb Crew,
<Good morning to you!>
I have a question about a clownfish pair I recently purchased. First, my tank set-up:
125 AGA
120 lbs. LR
80 lbs. LS
30 gallon sump
10 gallon fug (macro, LR, pods, etc.)
Euro-Reef CS6-2+ skimmer
GEO calcium reactor
Dual external Iwaki pumps (flow varies between 1200-2000 gph)
Two 250 watt HQI MH
Two 96 watt PC actinics
temp: 79-82
pH: 8.0
KH: 9.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates:10 ppm (last time checked)
<Sounds great to me>
I purchased a pair of true Percula clowns and placed them in my tank 9 days ago along with a Purple Firefish, Royal Gramma and Bi-color Blenny. After 3 days, I purchased a few other docile fish (gobies, cardinals, etc.) for a total of 10 fish along with about 9 assorted corals, mostly LPS and softies. From day one, the clowns have been swimming up and down along the glass at each end of the tank.
<These animals do exhibit some strange swimming behavior sometimes.>
They feed readily, snuggle each other relentlessly, but swim more like a wrasse (active) than a clown. They occasionally settle down some staying close to each other at either front corner of the tank. Then, they go ballistic and swim frantically against the stream coming from one of the return outlets. A few days later, I purchased a red bubble anemone. Like everything else, they ignored it and mostly swim up and down against the glass. Is this just part of the acclimation process or is something else happening?
<Most clowns will ignore the bubble tip anemone.  I would actually recommend you bring him back to the LFS - as he will more than likely die.>
I spoke with the LFS owner where I bought them. I was told they did host a long tentacled anemone until it was sold. The fish then hosted another anemone until it too was sold. Post anemone-partum syndrome??? I'm not worried, but being new to this incredible hobby, I am a little concerned that they will wear themselves out. I appreciate any suggestions you may have. Gracias.
<Well, it is a new environment, and as you stated, they don't have a host animal when it seems they've always readily taken one.  This is a big change.  Just give the little guys time to adapt.  Make sure to keep a close eye on them for sickness/disease so on.  You should be fine.  Have a great one.  Jen S.>
Steve

Re: Fishy clown behavior    5/24/06
Hi Jen,
<Hello again Steve>
Thanks for your prompt reply. Well, Murphy's Law strikes again. Just yesterday night, I found the Percula clown pair eagerly buffeting the Rose Bubble-tip anemone. Amazing! It was only that morning that I sent you my email asking for advise. Although I've seen this symbiotic behavior a thousand times, to see it in my tank is simply awesome! The anemone is pretty good sized for this species- about 5" across with the tentacles extended. The clowns were really being aggressive and buffeting it quite hard. So much so, the anemone retreated within the crack between the rocks where it's foot was berried later that night.
<Normally they will do nothing that is too much for what they are hosting in.  Just keep a close watch.>
This morning, the anemone only had a few tentacles extended outside the crack of the rock. The clowns were quietly resting in separate areas of the tank. I read and noticed this type of anemone likes to protect it's foot in a crevice of some kind. At least I was able to feed the anemone this morning without the clowns pulling the food away during my attempts to feed it last night.
<They are known to travel through a tank.  It will find a place it likes then stop.  These animals are not the easiest to keep and you have to make sure water parameters are absolutely excellent or you will end up with a loss.  Once again keeping a very close eye is paramount.>
From reading numerous other threads in your terrific website, I do not intend to have panic attacks every time something seemingly unexplained occurs. My aim is to observe and only interfere when necessary. Nature certainly knows better than I. Thanks again and have a pleasant Memorial Day weekend.
<You're absolutely correct and you are also taking the right steps in assuring your animals are well cared for.  Kudos - have a great weekend also.  Jen S.>
Steve

Dominant Clownfish - 5/17/2006
Hello;
<<Hi Kathy.>>
I purchased 2 clownfish several weeks ago.  I have them both in a ten gallon fish tank.  During the last two weeks I have noticed that one of them has grown and developed very healthy (bright colors, good size, etc.); however the other one has stayed very small, and seems to be loosing its colors.
<<The larger one is turning/has turned into a larger female.>>
The bigger one keeps chasing the small one, and sometimes it hurts the small fellow.  I have also observed that the small one keeps looking for hiding places like rocks or plants in order to avoid the big one.  I am worried about the small one because it looks stressed out. Would it be a good idea to separate them? Or to buy a tank divider?
<<You just need a larger tank with more hiding places for these two.>>
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Kathy
<<Glad to help. Lisa.>>

Fat Clownfish?  - 5/17/2006
Hello.
<Hi.>
I bought a small percula clown a few days ago with an associated bubble tip anemone.
<Okay.>
My water quality is good, and the clown is eating fine and looks very healthy and happy.
<Awesome.>
Last night when he was playing in his anemone, I noticed that it's belly was bulging out. It almost seems like she
is pregnant (about to lay eggs) but there is no male in my tank (there was most likely one in the fish store tank). I guess my question is would it be wise to introduce a male into the tank?
<May or not work out depending on the current animals temperament.>
And if so is there any way to tell whether a very small clownfish is a male or female?
<Likely if this animals is larger and had been alone for "a-while" is a female, if not sure add a much smaller specimen.>
If I put another clown in the tank and it is female will they fight or will it turn into a male?
<No two females will fight to the death.>
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
<Not to be overly-obvious........but fish do get fat, Adam J.>

New Tank(s) Stocking and Clown Aggression  - 05/10/2006
Good afternoon,
<Hello Dave.>
A general comment, after only 3yrs in the saltwater aquarium hobby... I have
learned that sometimes there is a fine line between community fish, peaceful
fish, semi-aggressive fish, and little Nemo that won't hesitate to shred my
wrist when I reach into the tank.  With that said...I currently have a 90gal deep sand bed saltwater tank with about 90lbs of liverock.  My inhabitants are as follows:
2 False Perculas (tend to be a tad aggressive)
<People forget they are damsels….and still express damsel like behavior at times.>
1 Royal Dottyback
<Can be nasty too…>
1 larger Yellow Watchman Goby
<Good fish.>
1 3" Regal Tang
<Not mean…but a Cryptocaryon magnet to say the least.>
Larger Coral Banded Shrimp
I have just converted my tank to a sump system and am bringing in some more
interesting liverock pieces as well as doing a better job of aquascaping.
I'm ensuring I have lots of tunnels and hiding spots.  My inhabitants are
temporarily sharing a 20gallon tank.  
<Ooh cramped…please empty 50% water changes at least every other day.>
I'm thinking that this is a great opportunity to introduce some new critters and that perhaps my Clowns won't be as aggressive if they are in unfamiliar territory.
<Maybe…depends on your clowns.>
I have a short list of desired acquisitions... meaning, I may introduce one
or two of, but not all...
<Okay.>
Yellowheaded Jawfish
<Good addition but DSB must be at least 6”.>
Yellow or Blue Devilfish ~ I've read that more than one at the same time is
better?  Like 3 or 4 total?
<No…skip those.>
Firefish
<Quite docile.>
Dwarf Flame Angel
<Good fish but, it seems harder and harder to secure an alert, eating…healthy….animal.>
Scott's Fairy Wrasse
<Can be a good addition if you secure a healthy specimen.>
I am concerned about perhaps the relationship with the Firefish and my
Dottyback...  
<Me too.>
In a month, I will have my 165gallon tank setup for a Zebra
Eel and a Lionfish.  Would the Dottyback fair better in that tank?
<It would be lion food, but that tank will be a good place for the tang when it outgrows the 90.>
I know he's small and bite size, but I have read some articles that would suggest
that he'd be fine given that he'd be able to fit into small spaces and is
quicker than the others.  Your thoughts?
<Only a matter of time before the lion snags him.>
Am also a bit concerned about the Devilfish and/or the Jawfish.
<See my comments above.>
Do you foresee any problems with the Dottyback? Or even my Clowns?
<Maybe, maybe not, you won’t now until you try, but I would not ass the firefish or the damsels at all.>
My clowns have already torn apart one Jawfish after one day a few months back
<Oh…maybe you should hold the clownfish in QT for a few more weeks than the other specimens while they adjust.>
.  I'm wondering if the Jawfish is introduced first and settles in over a week or
so... if the clowns are introduced last perhaps with the Flame Angel?  Would
this be better?
<Possibly.>
Last question, would the flame angel get along with my tang?
<Should.>
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Even better, if you had a couple
of ideas for better new additions to my tank, I'd greatly appreciate it.  I
was thinking a Foxface, but I think I'll get one for my 165gallon predator
tank instead.
<A good addition.>
Oh another two questions (I lied)...
<No worries.>
  having my first sump system... what is the norm for quieting the noise created from water splashing into my overflow compartment on my tank.  The water drops about 26 inches and is quite loud.  
<Look into a Durso-Stand Pipe.>
Do I simply put in a few steps within the overflow to lessen each distance of water dropping?   As well, what would be best to grow in my
refugium within the tank to starve nasty algae's of nutrients?  Caulerpa ???
<I prefer Chaetomorpha or Gracilaria.>
Regards,
Dave B.
<Adam J.>

Acclimation/Ocellaris Clownfish    5/2/06
Warm Greetings to the Crew:
<And to you, Eric>
First of all, thank you for the service, which you all provide. I appreciate it!
<You’re welcome.>  I have a 10 gallon quarantine tank with some live rock and 2 newly added tank reared ocellaris clownfish. The dealer had many of them for about 2 months. I obtained 2 of the last 4 in his tank. One is about 1 1/4 inch and the other is 1 3/4 inch. They were in a tank with some corals for a while until recently when I found them in a tank he had with bubble tip Anemones. The two were hiding in the anemones and I decided to bring them home. The first night they did not eat flake food, so I waited a little while and then tried the frozen mix used by the store I bought from without success.
Today (the second day) I tried some sweetwater zooplankton (a free gift with a large purchase). The smaller fellow enjoyed the feast, while the larger one ignored the passing floaters. I checked back later and the larger one would swim slowly around the tank and look at me and then travel back to the heater where the two generally hang out together. The temperature is 77 - 78 with a specific gravity of 1.020 since it is a quarantine tank. At night I tried flakes again. The smaller one again ate very well, but the larger one swam forward toward the side shaking her body vigorously, circling the tank once and then seemed like she wanted to simply get out of there. She doesn't look 'happy'! There are no visible appearances of disease and their colors look great. Could there be some sadness going on due to me removing them from their anemones?
<Unlikely.>  Could I have removed one from a mate in the tank? Is this normal to go for a couple of days for acclimating before eating? Some advice of things to try would be helpful.
<I’m thinking the acclimation process wasn’t done properly.  You mention a salinity of 1.020 in the QT.  I’m wondering what the salinity was in the dealers
tank along with the pH.>
The only thing in my 6-month-old 46-gallon display tank is one small green Chromis, lots of live rock and some small corals and snails. I am eager to have some more fish to add, but I have been trying to remain faithful to the use of a quarantine tank and have been unsuccessful so far with a previous pair of wild caught ocellaris, which died due to internal parasites. I was hoping the tank reared would have been easier to acclimate.
<Should be.>  I did completely disassemble the quarantine tank and start over after the previous pair to avoid any problems. Please provide some advice for a novice trying to gain a foothold in the hobby.
<I’d keep offering a variety of foods and the fish should start feeding soon.  Did you observe the fish eating in the dealer’s tank?>
Thanks,
<You’re welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Eric