Clownfish discussion

[Austin R]

Hello everyone I thought I would make this thread to help everyone that was thinking about getting a Clown and also everyone that has one and has questions because I have a few of my own.

 

[Joeganja]

What you got?

 

[Austin R]

I'm curious of do clown fish sleep? May sound weird but I don't think I ever see him stop swimming I also have a damsel and he'll find a place and stay in it until I turn the light on in the morning. Also what's there normal behavior?

 

[Joeganja]

I'm curious of do clown fish sleep? May sound weird but I don't think I ever see him stop swimming I also have a damsel and he'll find a place and stay in it until I turn the light on in the morning. Also what's there normal behavior?

They mostly just however depending on where their territory is. I had a pair of black and whites that would sleep in a mushroom. They would just lay on it and slowly move their fins so they would be stable. My maroon however has his own little corner and stays there and comes out whenever I come close to the tank wanting food and will stay in the same vicinity of the tank depending on the size. My black and whites would also protect their territory. They would try to nip or bite at me whenever I put my hand in the tank.

 

[Austin R]

They mostly just however depending on where their territory is. I had a pair of black and whites that would sleep in a mushroom. They would just lay on it and slowly move their fins so they would be stable. My maroon however has his own little corner and stays there and comes out whenever I come close to the tank wanting food and will stay in the same vicinity of the tank depending on the size. My black and whites would also protect their territory. They would try to nip or bite at me whenever I put my hand in the tank.

I couldn't tell you the kind I have I'm bad with names haha if I sent a picutre would that help? All I can remember is that he's captive bred

 

[Joeganja]

I couldn't tell you the kind I have I'm bad with names haha if I sent a picutre would that help? All I can remember is that he's captive bred

Sure.

 

[Austin R]

I was just curious cause sometimes he swims along the top of the water for a while didn't know if he just likes to do that or if he's not doing good I've had him for about a week now

 

[5altkreep]

Im on my phone, be he looks good to me. That's an ocellaris clown. I have 2. They just started being hosted by my RBTA about a week ago, woohoo!
Mine slept near my return in my old 28. Now theyre in a 75, and sleep behind my overflow.

 

[Mikedawg]

I'm curious of do clown fish sleep? May sound weird but I don't think I ever see him stop swimming I also have a damsel and he'll find a place and stay in it until I turn the light on in the morning. Also what's there normal behavior?

Had to smile at "what's normal behavior" for clownfish - my favorite LFS has a pair of ocellaris on display that have begun hosting on GSP and will often lay down in it on their sides, looking very content.

 

[Austin R]

Had to smile at "what's normal behavior" for clownfish - my favorite LFS has a pair of ocellaris on display that have begun hosting on GSP and will often lay down in it on their sides, looking very content.

A picutre of that would be great haha

 

[burden2626]

i beleave fish dont realy sleep they just slow.down and rest its the way they sleep .my sleeped in corner by over flow till i got them a nem.now they lay in it and wiggle a little here and ther

 

[Travis Rider]

Mine never really stop moving. They have a ton of personality. There really isn't a "normal behavior" as each will act differently. Mine will swim to the top of the tank when I come around and they will wait for me to stick my hand in the tank and 'pet' them.

 

[burden2626]

Mine never really stop moving. They have a ton of personality. There really isn't a "normal behavior" as each will act differently. Mine will swim to the top of the tank when I come around and they will wait for me to stick my hand in the tank and 'pet' them.

i like ur clowns what are they?

 

[ahiggins]

hahaha the "normal" for clowns is that theyre weird as heck!
I have a snowflake occ. and shes the only clown in the tank with 2 other aggressive species.
Weirdest thing I see is that the powerhead "hosts" her LOL and she likes to bite me, like a lot.

 

[Travis Rider]

i like ur clowns what are they?

Snowflakes.

 

[Todd A.]

I've had a pair (Black Ice & Fancy White) for about a year that freaked me out at first as they would "sleep" on their sides at the top of the aquarium, pretty much floating like dead fish. Eventually they found a corner along side the overflow box and basically float nose down, side-by-side a few inches from the top. They do continue to swim while "sleeping", but just barely. I do have a Blue-Spot Toby Puffer who sleeps. He just picks a spot on a rock somewhere and snoozes all night long. His spots bleach out and he kinda camouflages himself and lays perfectly still until the lights come on in the morning. The morning after I got him, I thought he was sick or dying. Turns out he just sleeping in. My Flame Angle & Yellow Tang both tuck into the rocks at night and aren't to be seen until morning. I'm sure everyone has fish with different sleeping habits since our aquariums don't actually replicate their natural environments, the fish just do whatever suites them best.

 

[Mikedawg]

A picutre of that would be great haha

Not the best pic and oftentimes they lay completely on their sides; lazy fish I guess.

 

[Austin R]

Not the best pic and oftentimes they lay completely on their sides; lazy fish I guess.

That's awesome I've been watching my clown a lot lately they are very interesting to watch haha mine like to nip at me or the siphon tube when I clean haha

 

[Mikedawg]

I'll bet they are the primary reason so many people are attracted to this hobby.

 

[VP616]

Have a couple pairs of Picassos. With one pair, when all the lights are off, one "sleeps" on the sand bed and the other near the top of the waterline near the overflow grate. Both sleep on their sides and semi-float, flapping every so often.

As others have said, it freaked me out the first time I saw this when the lights came on and I immediately panicked and thought I had two sick fish. Come to find out that this is their "normal sleeping" behavior.

Normal behavior definitely varies for every clownfish, but they are always fun to watch. One pair probably thinks they are part dog because every time they see someone beside the tank, they'll hover near the waterline because they assume they are getting fed... again.