[acudoc]

Hello,
I have just purchased a small maroon clown, which I currently have in a quarantine tank. He has been in that tank for two days and has not eaten. He is just treading at the bottom of the tank. My intention is to purchase a larger female, and try to pair them.

My question is, is it normal behavior for this little guy to be treading at the bottom of the tank without eating?

Also, what is the best way to introduce the larger female. Which I will pick up tomorrow.

Thank you

[leebca]

Don't get the female, unless you plan on having another QT up and running for her. Do not put the two fish together during quarantine. There are many reasons for this, if it isn't clear to you why.

The Anemonefish not eating is a sign that the fish is under stress. It would be another good idea not to get the female until you've resolved where that stress is coming from and remove it, from the fish you already have, before you go and put another fish into a similar stress. Go slowly.

Check all water conditions. Check all water chemistries. You can list all your test results here and we can review them.

In short, the behavior of your fish is not normal. It is almost impossible to cover every possibility of where that stress is coming from, however a short list looks like this:
bad water quality
poisons in the QT
disease (was the fish treated for Brooklynella?)
improper foods
shock/acclimation issues

You can do a lot of reading regarding nutrition here: Feeding Marine Fish and Fish Nutrition

If you want a more extensive list of possible stressors, this is a pretty comprehensive list: Stress (and the Single Marine Fish)

I'd work (as the initial paragraphs indicate) on water quality and nutrition. Do the water checks/tests. Tell us what are you trying to feed the fish?

After both fish go through quarantine separately, put them into your display tank. There is no problem with putting one fish in the display, then putting the next fish through the quarantine process. They don't have to go in together at the same time.

Want more reading? The acquisition of the fish should follow a pattern. In the case of Anemonefishes, each should be treated for Brooklynella. You'll find this info and recommendations in these postings:
A Fish Quarantine Process

It Was Acclimation, I know. . .

The above posts have links to other posts that help.

Lastly, you should be congratulated for using a quarantine process. I hope your display tank is mature and ready for fishes! The Mature Aquarium