Clown Behavior

[Lucid]

My Dad's two percs lately are acting different. The female is kicking sand around with her tail, digging a crater in the sand bed. And the male is grabbing mouthfuls and spitting it out.

Is this a nesting type of behavior or is it boredom of the fishes?

[Ninong]

How old are they?

[Lucid]

We have had them for about 6 months at least now, not sure how old they were when fist got. They are seemly full grown now though, in size.

[Ninong]

What sort of tank is this? Is there live rock -- probably so but I have to ask anyway.

Is there a host anemone for the clownfish or not?

[Ninong]

They're not "nesting" in the sand. If they have a host anemone, the female would lay the eggs on a reasonably flat surface close to the anemone. They might brush off any sand to clear a nice spot for the eggs on a hard surface. If they don't have a host anemone, they will lay the eggs on a choice hard surface that is either level or as much as a 45 degree angle.

Clowns (especially maroons) just like to dig in the sand. Sometimes it means something and sometimes it doesn't. But they don't lay eggs in the sand. When they get ready to lay eggs, they will clean off a suitable hard surface, preferably very close to their anemone, if they have one.

[Lucid]

Hey Ninong, they are in a reef nano tank with live rock and a deep sand bed. No host anemone, but I do have a 4-way PVC fitting in there half way in the rock structure. The crater they are making is right in front of the PVC. I wasn't sure if they were laying eggs or not. I would think the PVC surface is preferable.

[Ninong]

Once they are ready to spawn, they will clean off a nice, relatively flat surface to lay the eggs on. You could try placing a small piece (~4x4") of tile or clay flower pot in the tank if you like. Place it in a spot that does not get too much flow and place it at a 30-45-degree angle. It should be in what we might call a good neighborhood. In other words, try to think of where your clownfish might want to set up housekeeping and stick it there -- out of bright light.