Clownfish & shrimp behavior changed after adding lights – normal?

[snizbackskatin]

Hey everyone, first tank here. I’ve had a pair of clownfish for about 4.5 months now and they’ve been doing great. For the first 3 months I kept the tank lights off—just room light and a window across the room.

About a month ago I added my first coral (a softie) and turned the lights on. PAR isn’t crazy high, probably somewhere between 75–200 (still working on checking with the Photone app).

Here’s what changed:

• Before lights, both clowns swam all over the tank.
• My peppermint shrimp was out a lot, even during the day.
• Since turning the lights on, the clowns spend the whole day hanging under the same arch or retreating into a cave, almost like they’re avoiding the light.
• The shrimp hasn’t been out during the day at all.

It’s been about 3–3.5 weeks since the lights went on. Is this normal behavior? Do they just need more time to adjust, or should I be concerned?

 

[tbrown]

Peppermint shrimp are technically nocturnal. You'll see them some during the day but they tend to stick to the caves and rocks during the day and come out to feed and scavenge at night.

The clowns i can't say for sure. If it was adjusting to the light and the "new" environments it created you'd think they'd get over it in a day or two... So they come out and swim around at night now? Maybe you accidentally shifted their internal clocks and now you've got nocturnal clowns.

Another potential option (doesn't sound like it based on what you're describing) is that they bred and now they're protecting their eggs. Like I said, unlikely but possible...

 

[bluemon]

Sounds normal.

I think we humans would act just as sacred if we lived in relative darkness for 3 months then the brightest Sun appeared.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Inverts mainly are receptive to change in light and at times flow. They dwell in hiding areas and favor low light in many cases. I say normal reaction/behavior

 

[snizbackskatin]

Appreciate the insight. It’s really the clowns I’m confused about, I wasn’t expecting their behavior to change so much. Still young juveniles too.

The shrimp I understand, seeing him in the beginning was just bonus.

 

[EuphyllinOHk]

My clowns have always hosted the overflow box in my tank, but they definitely decided to cling to the shadows that the overflow cast when my lights went on at full intensity, full time. Only they did, though - my royal gramma and tailspot blenny don't mind the lights and swim freely. My clowns didn't swim the entire space of my 42g, but their range did seem to contract.

Your clowns may have just found a new "spot" and that may be where they hang for now.

 

[snizbackskatin]

My clowns have always hosted the overflow box in my tank, but they definitely decided to cling to the shadows that the overflow cast when my lights went on at full intensity, full time. Only they did, though - my royal gramma and tailspot blenny don't mind the lights and swim freely. My clowns didn't swim the entire space of my 42g, but their range did seem to contract.

Your clowns may have just found a new "spot" and that may be where they hang for now.

Bummer to hear, but good to know it’s normal. Thanks!

 

[EuphyllinOHk]

Bummer to hear, but good to know it’s normal. Thanks!

It's not forever, fortunately. They may spin the roulette wheel and choose another spot, sometime down the road. "Clowns being clowns."