My Maroon Clown

[1234-fishy-freind]

I came home about 2 days ago to find my clove coral lying on the floor of the tank, about 30cm below the rock it sits on and logically I sat it back on its rock. Went to grab some for and walked back over to the tank and there was the coral on the floor of the tank again. 'How odd' I thought to myself. So once again I picked it up and set it back on the rock.

Five minutes later I went to get a drink and walked past the tank and saw out the corner of my eye it falling again with the clown swimming away from the rock. 'Right' I thought to myslef 'Im watching it now'. So I sat it back on the rock and took a seat in the kitchen so I could see the coral.

After about 2 minutes my marroon clown went just behind the coral and with a big puch, sent it crashing down to the floor of the tank! I couldnt belive what I had just seen.

Why on earth had it started to di this, that coral had been there almost as long as he had and now hes pushing it away.

So for the next day i kept picking up the coral and sitting it back thinking the clown would soon get tyred of it but it hasnt yet, how annoying.

So if it goes on i will have to place it somewhere else and try another coral there, maybe the clown has just decided he dose'nt like the coral now.

Anyone had any other experiences like this with there fish and does anyone have any idea as to why the clown has started doing this?

 

[Colin_T]

the coral is in the clowfish's territory and the fish will continue to move it whenever it comes back. Find another home for the coral and leave the clownfish to have its space. It might be trying to breed there.

 

[tangokitty]

Is the coral ok? I can't imagine that falling is good for them.

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

Yes the coral is fine, I dont understand why it is trying to get rid of it though even if it is in its territory as it has been there as long as the clown has, (about 6 months)

I did come up with an idea today though.
I took out the coral before this all started to make a frag and obviously the polyps all closed up and it looked totally different and then i put it back so maybe when the clown saw it, it didnt recognise it and pushed it away.

 

[SkiFletch]

It can also be a nesting behavior. Clowns will clean any piece of rock they deem suitable for a nest...

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

Will they do this even when they are the only clownfish in the tank ?

 

[SkiFletch]

Sure, they don't have to be mated to exhibit nesting behavior

Edit: be careful sticking your hands near that spot, cause as she gets more bold and territorial, she might lash out and bite you...

 

[enjoiskater158]

HAHA I'v been having the same problem except my maroon clown just moves small peices of liverock. Every two or three months he finds a new territory and moves the little rocks around the new spot to his liking.

 

[humpy_the_humphead_wrasse]

awww how cute he's adopted a rock friend i hope mine does that when i get mine. waiting for the tank and sump atm hopefully itll be here soon!