Clowns in back of tank

jeff240gallon · 09/30/2016, 02:34 PM

Anyone know any tricks to get clowns to move from their hang out spot? No corals or anemones yet unfortunately... Waiting to get New lighting. They hang in the back of the tank all day, most of the time you can't even see them.

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scar79 · 09/30/2016, 02:40 PM

How long have they been in there? If it hasn't been long, they'll work up some more courage eventually.

As you add more corals (especially flowy stuff) they might take to one of these as their new home. Adding more confident, open water swimmers (dither fish) such as chromis and anthias will also encourage them to come out more often. Ultimately, though, they'll hang out where they're comfortable and there's nothing you can do to force them to come out to the front more.

Brieninsac · 09/30/2016, 02:40 PM

One year in and my clowns hangout at the back of the tank too. The only time they swim around is feeding time.

oneofmany · 09/30/2016, 03:08 PM

What else do you have in the tank besides the two clownfish and the two tangs? My guess is that they're just intimidated by the sheer size of the tank and the inhabitants you have in it. Hopefully in time they'll come around.

xCry0x · 09/30/2016, 03:15 PM

Clownfish generally are not big open water swimmers; they aren't like wrasses, tangs or angels that constantly swim all over. They typically find something to artificially host and then set up shop there until it is feeding time.

People have them decide to live on a powerhead, etc.

Now if they are new to the tank they may just be scared/adjusting. Or, they may have decided that the wall is their spot - although in my limited experience they typically find something that gives them a bit of protection to call home. My clown pair I used to have declared a toadstool as theirs.

jeff240gallon · 09/30/2016, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scar79

How long have they been in there? If it hasn't been long, they'll work up some more courage eventually.

As you add more corals (especially flowy stuff) they might take to one of these as their new home. Adding more confident, open water swimmers (dither fish) such as chromis and anthias will also encourage them to come out more often. Ultimately, though, they'll hang out where they're comfortable and there's nothing you can do to force them to come out to the front more.

The big one for about a year and the smaller one about two months. There's a ton off open water swimmers in there so I think getting corals/nems is going to be my only bet

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jeff240gallon · 09/30/2016, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneofmany

What else do you have in the tank besides the two clownfish and the two tangs? My guess is that they're just intimidated by the sheer size of the tank and the inhabitants you have in it. Hopefully in time they'll come around.

I have a bunch... Maxed out on live stock, but the big clown was the first addition to the tank and pretty much has stayed in the back the entire time. I think my only hope is corals/nems when I finally get them :/

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morgank · 10/01/2016, 12:23 PM

My clowns were hosted by the back corner of my tank for over a year, even with a nice rose anemone in front for them. Eventually one of them discovered the anemone and then spent a few days traveling between the anemone and the corner until the other one joined it in the anemone too.

Srsly, it took them a year to find that anemone.

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09/30/2016, 02:34 PM	#1
jeff240gallon Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 181	Clowns in back of tank Anyone know any tricks to get clowns to move from their hang out spot? No corals or anemones yet unfortunately... Waiting to get New lighting. They hang in the back of the tank all day, most of the time you can't even see them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09/30/2016, 02:40 PM	#3
Brieninsac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 782	One year in and my clowns hangout at the back of the tank too. The only time they swim around is feeding time. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 350 (73gal/18gal sump) / Kessil a360WE Lights

09/30/2016, 03:15 PM	#5
xCry0x Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Martinez, CA Posts: 1,116	Clownfish generally are not big open water swimmers; they aren't like wrasses, tangs or angels that constantly swim all over. They typically find something to artificially host and then set up shop there until it is feeding time. People have them decide to live on a powerhead, etc. Now if they are new to the tank they may just be scared/adjusting. Or, they may have decided that the wall is their spot - although in my limited experience they typically find something that gives them a bit of protection to call home. My clown pair I used to have declared a toadstool as theirs. __________________ Red Sea Max 250

09/30/2016, 02:40 PM	#2
scar79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southwestern CT Posts: 534	How long have they been in there? If it hasn't been long, they'll work up some more courage eventually. As you add more corals (especially flowy stuff) they might take to one of these as their new home. Adding more confident, open water swimmers (dither fish) such as chromis and anthias will also encourage them to come out more often. Ultimately, though, they'll hang out where they're comfortable and there's nothing you can do to force them to come out to the front more.

09/30/2016, 03:08 PM	#4
oneofmany In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: California Posts: 151	What else do you have in the tank besides the two clownfish and the two tangs? My guess is that they're just intimidated by the sheer size of the tank and the inhabitants you have in it. Hopefully in time they'll come around.

10/01/2016, 12:23 PM	#8
morgank Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Danbury, CT Posts: 44	My clowns were hosted by the back corner of my tank for over a year, even with a nice rose anemone in front for them. Eventually one of them discovered the anemone and then spent a few days traveling between the anemone and the corner until the other one joined it in the anemone too. Srsly, it took them a year to find that anemone. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk