What Does It Mean When A Fish Is Fanning The Sand?

[mvough]

Hey there everyone,
I'm pretty new to nanocube world and real new in this site. I've been reading forums on this site for advice but this one I can't seem to find.
I have a 12 Gallon nano deluxe with live sand and a group of live rocks totalling about 7 or 8lbs. I've had my nano running for about three weeks, first week to cycle it until all nitrates, ammonia, pH, and all were stable. I had some algae grow and bought a bunch of snails for a "cleaner crew" 3 bumble bee snails and a bunch of others. second week I noticed a bunch of starfish looking creatures (they're tiny and there's a whole bunch of them) and thought "Hey maybe they came with the live sand". I then spotted one or two bristleworms and thought they might've came with the live rock, anyway I decided to keep them since i've read on some topics that they were actually not that bad. Anyway a week ago I introduced 2 maroon clown fish and a damsel. Then, a couple of days ago they seem to have started "fanning" the sand and to my horror there was a colony of bristleworms there, literally and definitely more than 20. Anyway I'm not worrying much about them since I'm thinking of buying either a fish that eats them or make a trap. Anyway all three of the fish are "fanning", "playing", "sweeping", and "whatever it's called" with the sand. They've been doing this for the past two days and I have no idea what it means. Right now my tanks is at these settings
pH:8.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Hydrometer reading: 1.022
Temp: 78.1 F (It's cold here in NYC and I myself am wondering why it's so high, I thought I would've had to use a heater by now.)

Anyway I was just wondering if any other owners of Damsel or Maroon Clown fish have experienced this type of behavior. I'll try to take pictures of my tank and show i'll try some video if it's possible. Anyway any and all input would be greatly appreciated by this noob.

 

[n3ont3tra]

My sebae clownfish are similar. They dug out a hole in the corner of the tank and they change it around a little every day.

 

[-Nemo-]

My Female O Clownfish does that as well in her "territory".

 

[chrissaysyes]

You know 12g is really small for a maroon, right? Let alone two.

 

[mvough]

Yea I know it's a small tank for one but the choice given was either take it or they were gonna let it die...so I took it, felt bad letting one live and letting the other just die. Thanks for everyone's reply but does anyone know what kind of behavior it is? Is it territorial, mating, or something to do with comfort? I'm just trying to try and accomodate them. I have another 10 gallon quarantine tank, I guess I could put the other maroon in there for now. I'm having trouble with pictures...always coming out blurry or too bright. Thanks again.

 

[littleme1969]

I have a damsel that does it to the point of digging right under rock work and making its own caves. It also dehaves this way if something large is in its teratory and it cant pick it up and move it. Also they have been together in the tank for about 4 months now and my tomato clown has started to copy the damsel which is quite funny to watch.
Its all about teratory and making a home. Like you they like to move things around until it feels right
My damsel will pick up hermit crabs , swim half way across the tank and dump them if they stray near his den

 

[mvough]

That's funny you brought it up littleme1969, come to think of it the damsel was the first one who exhibited that behavior and did exactly what yours was doing; making a little area below my live rock. Then i guess a few moments later the clownfish did the same. Just now while I'm typing this the male clownfish moved an empty shell from on top of my live rock to the middle of my substrate then to the back. Interesting behavior I have to say. Anyway here are some pics.

PS Does anyone know what those starfish looking things might be? I have pics down there V , they have 6 appendiges and are great in numbers in my tank. Just wondering if their disappearance would have an effect on my tank.

PPS I said earlier I had a maroon clown, to be more specific it's a yellow striped maroon clownfish, I just looked it up my local marine fish store. I agree with chrissaysyes that my tank is way too small for this fish. I'm going to my local fish store and see if they're willing to trade it for another specimen, maybe a hermit or a shrimp "I hunger".

*Update: After these pics were taken I did my weekly water change and cleaned up some coralline algae on the glass...they annoy the heck out of me when they're on the glass. Does anyone know a good organism or animal that eats them? My snails just glide over them. I would 've taken a picture of my cleaner tank but I ran out of battery

here's some pics.

VIDEO!!!! While I was cleaning they were doing the fanning thing again. It's towards the end though, might I add that all three of them do this. Anyway mind the male clown fish too cuz he's cute...he's trying to carry a shell. Sorry for the bad quality, It was spontaneous so I used my cell phone and plus like I said my camera ran out of battery. "cmon charge!"