Troubled Clownfish Help!

[marks4470]

Hi,

I brought home a clownfish yesterday that had belonged to a family for 4 years, but they were moving, so he had to go. He seems to not be afraid of people at all, but he only stays in the side corner in mid tank and wont go near the rocks. I tried feeding him and he eat a little, but does not seem to like anything I tried. Ive given him flakes, which he eats, but not much, pellets which he spits out, and refrigerated copeapods, which he spits out. When I shut the tank light out last night, he lost it and started darting everywhere and shaking, so I turned them back on and left them on all night. My first fish and I get one afraid of the dark! figures. When I got up this morning, he was in his corner mid tank again. My tank is too new for an anenome, but I am thinking of getting a fake one, if that might help him feel more secure. I am open to any advise that might help. thanks

[soul embrace]

he might just haven't gotten used to his new environment yet.

[Playa-1]

I would set your lights back to the normal schedule and give the fish a few days to get comfortable with it's new surroundings.

[returnofsid]

I agree. It's just taking time for the new addition to acclimate to it's surroundings. Just keep in mind that it's whole life has been turned upside down. Being netted, bagged, re-acclimated (hopefully) to a totally different set of surroundings...all these things are VERY stressful on fish. Give it a few days to get used to everything and as long as your tank is meeting it's health needs, it'll soon be comfortable and out and about as usual. Also keep in mind that Clowns have the natural urge to live "in" or "around" something. In the wild, it's an anemone. In our tanks, it can be just about anything from an anemone, soft coral or LPS to even a power head.

[Reefbox]

I have a clay pot in with my clowns and it helps them feel secure.