Idlefingers' Salty Journal

[idlefingers]

Well, stats were still solid this morning so I went and bought the first fish and some CUC. I bought 3 red legged hermits, 3 blue legged hermits, 2 emerald crabs, a cleaner shrimp and a black and white percula clown

I'm having difficulties getting a non-blurry pic of the clown because the little bugger won't stay still and pose for the camera and the cleaner shrimp's gone on an exploring mission behind the live rock so only pics of the hermit and emerald crabs so far..

 

[fishheaded]

Looks like its coming along great idlefingers. i'm thinking about getting a black and white clown myself, if you dont mind me asking, how much did you get em for?

 

[idlefingers]

Thanks! The clown cost £20

 

[idlefingers]

I'm starting to get worried about the clown and shrimp now.. The shrimp, after it's initial explore ended up going behind the rocks and finding a cave to sit upside down and isn't coming out (well, yet. it's been there for about 24hrs now). It's moving around in the confines of the cave and feeling around with it's feelers. I'm hoping it's just settling in??

There doesn't seem to be anything physically wrong with the clown, it's just swimming in one small area of the tank but it doesn't seem interested in food one bit. I've tried feeding him twice now (once last night and once tonight) and he just flat-out ignores it. Once again, I'm hoping it's just settling in??

Stats are:

SG 1.024
PH 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5

Do you guys think they're both still settling in?

I managed to get a pic of the clown now it's not moving around the tank as much (excuse the dirty glass!):

 

[littleme1969]

I had the same problem with my common clown. Swam in the same place didnt eat for days
Get him some brine shrimp or other live food to stimulate his stomach. I got mine eating this way within a week. baby brine shrimp freshly hatched are just perfect as chasing them also gives them something to to and also stimulates the apetite. Dont worry too much its very common for marine fish to sulk for a few days while settling in. Just keep offering a veriety of foods a few times a day, then when he does start to eat feed him 3 times a day so he gets his strength back quickly

My shrimp also took about 10 days to properly settle in and start eating and fins his spot He will get braver as he feels more settled.

 

[idlefingers]

Okay, I'll try that. Thanks for the advice!

Do you leave your powerheads on while feeding? I turned them off but worried that the change may scare him out of eating. It's easier to get the food right to him, though..

 

[littleme1969]

Yes I turn mine off as I have a scooter Blenny thats a bottom feeder and he wouldnt get anything to eat if I didnt. But for now I would turn them off until hes eating properly and settled.

 

[fishheaded]

Wow i love your clown, he looks so cool! I want one so bad but 3 fish in a 10g wont do...anyways on your note with the shirmp, before mine got eatin, he would jus stay under my LR in a cave also. Usually cleaner shrimps will stay under LR because they dont like much light. Mine would only come out for food, when fish were near it and only when the actinics were on. Your shrimp has probably found his cleaning station and where he is most comfortable. As for your clown, definitely try brine shrimp, works everytime.

 

[rhysiboy]

wow, the tank serious looks the DB. Shall be a verry interesting thread to watch

 

[sophos9]

Hi mate, nice clown.

Dont worry, clowns find an area of the tank and then own it, as someone said, get some brine shrimp in there - mine go crazy for it!! Also same as any other fish, they are being fed against there nature.

I've both read and been told that shrimp should not go in a new tank, only in an established one (couple of months - hence why I have not got any)

Keep an eye on it....

 

[idlefingers]

Okay, cheers. I'll keep a close eye on it. Hopefully it'll pull through.

 

[sophos9]

Okay, cheers. I'll keep a close eye on it. Hopefully it'll pull through.

No problems, the people that told me where 3 of the superb guys a Hellesdon Barn Aquatics and when telling them I really wanted one, they did not want to sell shrimps to me as my tank was not 'mature' enough so I've held back.

I'm sure others may have a different experience, guess it can turn into an exepensive gamble. What did you pay for your CS? They are £12 from my LFS...

 

[idlefingers]

It was £16. I trust the bloke at the lfs who sold it to me and he seems to know his stuff and not be in it as a salesman so I'm a little disappointed in him if he has fed me ill advice. I guess only time will tell (and crossed fingers!)

 

[sophos9]

Fingers crossed for you, I would not expect much from your new additions in the first week anyway, they need to adjust to their new world.

Everyone has differing opinions and expectations, we only find out by doing and learning so I will be interested in how things turn out for you!!

 

[littleme1969]

As said above everyone has their own opinion. but after doing many weeks worth of reading up on many forums the advise on shrimp is only add when nitrates are low to 0 and ammonia is constant zero. So in other words when your tank has cycled totally and has been stable for a week or so with no fluctuation. Problem is people see them as clean up crew and add them at the same time as snails and hermits, but really they should be added with first /second load of fish once things are more settled. I added mine at about 20 days when I had had stable water for 14 days and hes doing great. Already shed twice in just under 2 weeks. He took a week to find his feet and his spot in the tank, but he did eat straight away and to be honest I think he was starving as he went at it like a mad thing. Hes now way more selective with what he eats, just picking out his favs bits
Cleaner Shrimp