View Full Version : new percula owner, got some questions
rusty-nail-z
05-06-2007, 11:54 PM
Hey i just cycled my tank and have introduced to percula clownfiish. First of all, any advice is appreciated as i am still learning about how to care for them. A few quick questions 1) As of now, i have some bloodworms and Top Fin tropical fish flakes. Will these suffice until i get a better reportoire of food for my new fish? 2) Also, how long until I can feed them?( Theyve been in the tank about 2 hours. 3) They are jus chillin up in the top left hand corner of the tank (they are a pair), is this normal for new fish? I know im bein a little OCD but I just want to make sure everything is cool. Thanx.
A few quick questions 1) As of now, i have some bloodworms and Top Fin tropical fish flakes. Will these suffice until i get a better reportoire of food for my new fish? 2) Also, how long until I can feed them?( Theyve been in the tank about 2 hours. 3) They are jus chillin up in the top left hand corner of the tank (they are a pair), is this normal for new fish? I know im bein a little OCD but I just want to make sure everything is cool. Thanx.
1) I'd stick with the tropical flakes over the bloodworms until you get your new food.
2) Usually it's recommended to wait to feed them the next day so they have time to adjust. I have been guilty of doing it soon after I release them into my tank though. :)
3) Yes, that's especially normal for clowns. They may sleep lying on their sides too. My 2 "own" the top left corner of my tank. Some people's clowns swim all around often and some people's generally stay in one spot- completely normal.
Congratulations on your new clowns! Feel free to share some pictures if you get a chance. :)
noskimmer
05-07-2007, 1:59 AM
Interesting about the waiting a day, I have heard of this quite a bit, and is probably the best way to go when first putting fish in a tank. However I have also heard and practiced feeding when introducing fish, as this diverts the attention away from the new guys..
Interesting about the waiting a day, I have heard of this quite a bit, and is probably the best way to go when first putting fish in a tank. However I have also heard and practiced feeding when introducing fish, as this diverts the attention away from the new guys..
I pretty much do it more times than I don't (feed upon introduction, or shortly thereafter). :)
I guess I just like to see them eat in my tank once they're in there. Never thought about it to distract the others. I know the feeding frenzy always seems to scare my newbies though as they watch the others frantically going after the food bits. :D
BIGgourami
05-07-2007, 1:29 PM
i feed when i have them floating in the bag, somehow i gahter that they associate the new wish with nothing bad that they aren't trying to compete with them for food or anyhting.
SHK_ATK
05-07-2007, 2:25 PM
my false perc stayed in the bottom right corner of the tank and just swam back and forth from front to back and stayed in one spot, I introduced a True perc and it did the same thing they were like two buddies. Since my true perc died (sucked down overflow into sump,never recovered) my false swims all over the tank, I think she/he is looking for him/her...Finding nemo :rolleyes:
missc4
05-07-2007, 3:11 PM
I am like you Exvy. I feed as soon as I put them in the tank..I think it helps them settle in better.If they are calm enough to eat then I feel better..lol
Germanman
05-08-2007, 2:05 PM
hey cool to hear u got some clowns! i would use mysis shrimp as a staple food for the clowns with the flake food. i feed blood worms to my fish but its more of a treat and they are not live and have been sterilized. sounds like they are doing what they are saposed to do! get us some pics some time soon!:)
rusty-nail-z
05-09-2007, 4:57 PM
here they are!
Reefscape
05-09-2007, 4:58 PM
looking great !!!
Niko
Scribble68
05-09-2007, 5:47 PM
Nice looking pair of clowns you've got there. Good luck with them. My first pair of clowns stayed by the surface all the time. Not quite sure why, but all clowns seem to act differently and have their own personalities. Mysis is probably the best food item for them and oceanic plankton is really nutritious also. And a good flake or pellet food is always good to have in their diet.
I really like your rockwork also. Looks really cool.
Germanman
05-09-2007, 10:26 PM
great percs! they look very healthy!
rusty-nail-z
05-10-2007, 1:08 AM
Thanx guys, Im really excited about adding fish and corals in... its almost dragging me away from my freshwater tank, j/k I still love those guys too. I'll have to tell my girlfriend you liked the rockwork scribble, she set up the LR all on her own...Now I have to start savin some dough for more!
Scribble68
05-10-2007, 9:58 AM
The tank does look like it could use a little more rock although what you have looks really good. You should shoot for 1.5-2lbs per gallon of water for good biological filtration. It looks like your probably more than half way there already so good luck with the rest of it.
rusty-nail-z
05-10-2007, 11:01 AM
yeah, i should probably fill up that right side a lil more, thats gonna be a pain now that everythings established though
Scribble68
05-10-2007, 11:40 AM
It won't be too bad, just add one piece at a time and make sure you buy cured rock from your LFS. A good way to tell if its ok for your tank is to smell it. If it has a strong smell don't get it, but if the smell is mild or there is no smell the rock is ready. I put most of the rock in my tank in after it had cycled and had livestock in it. Just do it gradually and you'll be fine, like a piece every other week.