my first marine fish

Fionn_Matt325 · 08-13-2007, 07:19 PM

i picked up my first saltwater fish today, a percula clown close to 1 1/2''. he seems pretty adventurous, so no problems there. being my first i have a few questions.

i bought the flakes over the pellets. i read that they need to be fed 3 times a day.
1) is that excessive?
2) i fed it the flakes, but doesn't seem interested in them. it knows the food's there, but doesn't bite. should i have got the pellets, or is it not eating because it's too busy for now exploring?

more questions sure to follow

Dentoid · 08-13-2007, 07:23 PM

It may take the clown some time to recognize the flakes as food. You may want to ask the LFS where you purchased the clown what they were feeding. If it's an ORA or tank raised clown it may be accustom to eating pellets, live food or both. Consider frozen mysis shrimp, they love that!

blue_eyes53813 · 08-13-2007, 07:25 PM

3 times a day is alot. Make sure all food is being eaten or you will run into water quality problems.. try to get a variety of frozen meats for the clown. I would probably feed it once a day. Pellets may foul the water to much. Flakes are ok but I would limit it to once or twice a week.

kyrie_eleison · 08-13-2007, 07:28 PM

fionn,

3 times/day is abit excessive. Once is fine for clownfish.

Try frozen foods. I wouldn't recommend flakes ever; especially at the beginning (but it's not at all a bad thing either). Also, next time you should ask the store to feed the fish to see if it eats first. Try that at Petco. Those people there give a whole new meaning to the word, "ineptitude". Could be b/c they're lazy or don't know anything in general.

Fionn_Matt325 · 08-13-2007, 08:05 PM

that's funny, cause i got it at Petco. it's not my usual store, but none-the-less i saw it while i was picking up cat supplies. i have a strictly aquatic pet store i go to with a knowledgeable staff.
which brings me to another thing... i keep calling it, it. is there any way to tell the gender?
thanks for your help

Melanie · 08-13-2007, 08:05 PM

I feed my clown a variety of foods. I give mine 1/8 of a cube in the morning and 1 flake of food (alternate Brine Shrimp Plus and Reef flakes) crumbled up at night. He goes crazy and eats 100 percent of the food. I think once a day would be fine though. It would be really easy to overfeed and pollute the tank the more you feed them.

panmanmatt · 08-13-2007, 08:11 PM

At that size it will more than likely be a male. Once it gets to about 2 1/2 -3 inches and is still alone it will become female. At that time you can introduce a smaller clown that will be male and hopefully they will pair up.

Or you can get another one the same size now and as they grow, the larger will take on the female role.

hma · 08-15-2007, 07:28 PM

I feed my Clarkiis frozen mysis, krill or pieces of shell, twice each day.

Fionn_Matt325 · 08-19-2007, 09:32 PM

I actually went back to the store where i got my tank, and picked up some frozen foods. unfortunately this place is 30 min away, but it's nice since it's strictly an aquarium pet store. he told me half a cube in the morning and the other at night.
i have a place around here i can use if i REALLY need to. (well only if a certain guy is working that day, cause he seems to know his stuff)

Fionn_Matt325 · 08-19-2007, 09:37 PM

funny story about my local place actually. that guy was out the day when i picked up my P.J. Cardinal, so a lady helped me. they were sharing a tank w/ another breed, so i pointed at the tank indicating what i wanted. she looked right at me truely serious and said "Those arent Pajama Cardinals." I had to point at the specific P.J. in the tank, and she managed to get it. from now on unless that guy's working i'm walking right back out.

addicted · 08-27-2007, 11:47 PM

My clown refused to eat for about 4-5 days after I got her. She was addicted to brine shrimp so wasn't interested in flakes, pellets, or anything else we offered.

Now she eats ANYTHING. I was feeding 2 times a day but I'm lowering it to once a day now. They get a really small meal (3-4 crushed flakes or a couple pellets) in the morning and then frozen mysis or brine shrimp in the evening (I'll have to see if they'll eat krill).

Fionn_Matt325 · 08-28-2007, 01:40 PM

i've gotten a few more tank-mates since the clown (see below), and i've been feeding them half a cube of brine shrimp and half a cube of mysis once a day. it seems to be working just fine. thanks for the feedback

hma · 08-28-2007, 02:42 PM

i'm so sorry but a Hippo tang is not suitable for 34 gal. , he becomes simple too big for it. He grows very fast and is in approx. 1-1,5 years Too large for a 34 gal. tank. Possibly before, according to which how big he is at the moment.

Fionn_Matt325 · 08-28-2007, 10:08 PM

he's about the size of a half-dollar right now. when i see it's getting too big i'll take corrective actions, but it's comfortable now. the owner of the lfs where i got the tank which is strictly deals with fish and aquariums ok'd it

hma · 08-28-2007, 10:31 PM

Please do not understand as a criticism, it was meant only as a reference.

08-13-2007, 07:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fionn_Matt325 Star Polyps Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 169 View Gallery Karma Komment	my first marine fish i picked up my first saltwater fish today, a percula clown close to 1 1/2''. he seems pretty adventurous, so no problems there. being my first i have a few questions. i bought the flakes over the pellets. i read that they need to be fed 3 times a day. 1) is that excessive? 2) i fed it the flakes, but doesn't seem interested in them. it knows the food's there, but doesn't bite. should i have got the pellets, or is it not eating because it's too busy for now exploring? more questions sure to follow __________________ 34 Gallon Red Sea Changed from 10 gal. basic freshwater after a few years. It always comes back to Nemo

08-13-2007, 07:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,289 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my first marine fish It may take the clown some time to recognize the flakes as food. You may want to ask the LFS where you purchased the clown what they were feeding. If it's an ORA or tank raised clown it may be accustom to eating pellets, live food or both. Consider frozen mysis shrimp, they love that! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

08-13-2007, 07:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,918 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: my first marine fish 3 times a day is alot. Make sure all food is being eaten or you will run into water quality problems.. try to get a variety of frozen meats for the clown. I would probably feed it once a day. Pellets may foul the water to much. Flakes are ok but I would limit it to once or twice a week. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

08-13-2007, 07:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
kyrie_eleison Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 273 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my first marine fish fionn, 3 times/day is abit excessive. Once is fine for clownfish. Try frozen foods. I wouldn't recommend flakes ever; especially at the beginning (but it's not at all a bad thing either). Also, next time you should ask the store to feed the fish to see if it eats first. Try that at Petco. Those people there give a whole new meaning to the word, "ineptitude". Could be b/c they're lazy or don't know anything in general.

08-13-2007, 08:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fionn_Matt325 Star Polyps Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 169 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my first marine fish that's funny, cause i got it at Petco. it's not my usual store, but none-the-less i saw it while i was picking up cat supplies. i have a strictly aquatic pet store i go to with a knowledgeable staff. which brings me to another thing... i keep calling it, it. is there any way to tell the gender? thanks for your help __________________ 34 Gallon Red Sea Changed from 10 gal. basic freshwater after a few years. It always comes back to Nemo

08-13-2007, 08:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: my first marine fish I feed my clown a variety of foods. I give mine 1/8 of a cube in the morning and 1 flake of food (alternate Brine Shrimp Plus and Reef flakes) crumbled up at night. He goes crazy and eats 100 percent of the food. I think once a day would be fine though. It would be really easy to overfeed and pollute the tank the more you feed them. __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

08-13-2007, 08:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
panmanmatt Golden Moray Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waretown, NJ Posts: 2,028 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my first marine fish At that size it will more than likely be a male. Once it gets to about 2 1/2 -3 inches and is still alone it will become female. At that time you can introduce a smaller clown that will be male and hopefully they will pair up. Or you can get another one the same size now and as they grow, the larger will take on the female role. __________________ The mind is like a parachute, it only works when opened. (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(")

08-15-2007, 07:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
hma Golden Moray Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 2,191 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: my first marine fish I feed my Clarkiis frozen mysis, krill or pieces of shell, twice each day. __________________ Heinz Luck is a good health and a bad memory (Albert Schweitzer) Balling Method : Balling +Plus Video : Centropyge potteri Tools : Balling Calculator My Chronicle and ReefDreams HM-Aquarium Photo Calendar 2008 "IF SHARKS DIE, THE SEA DIES"

08-19-2007, 09:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
Fionn_Matt325 Star Polyps Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 169 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my first marine fish I actually went back to the store where i got my tank, and picked up some frozen foods. unfortunately this place is 30 min away, but it's nice since it's strictly an aquarium pet store. he told me half a cube in the morning and the other at night. i have a place around here i can use if i REALLY need to. (well only if a certain guy is working that day, cause he seems to know his stuff) __________________ 34 Gallon Red Sea Changed from 10 gal. basic freshwater after a few years. It always comes back to Nemo

08-19-2007, 09:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
Fionn_Matt325 Star Polyps Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 169 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my first marine fish funny story about my local place actually. that guy was out the day when i picked up my P.J. Cardinal, so a lady helped me. they were sharing a tank w/ another breed, so i pointed at the tank indicating what i wanted. she looked right at me truely serious and said "Those arent Pajama Cardinals." I had to point at the specific P.J. in the tank, and she managed to get it. from now on unless that guy's working i'm walking right back out. __________________ 34 Gallon Red Sea Changed from 10 gal. basic freshwater after a few years. It always comes back to Nemo

08-27-2007, 11:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
addicted Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 64 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my first marine fish My clown refused to eat for about 4-5 days after I got her. She was addicted to brine shrimp so wasn't interested in flakes, pellets, or anything else we offered. Now she eats ANYTHING. I was feeding 2 times a day but I'm lowering it to once a day now. They get a really small meal (3-4 crushed flakes or a couple pellets) in the morning and then frozen mysis or brine shrimp in the evening (I'll have to see if they'll eat krill).

08-28-2007, 01:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
Fionn_Matt325 Star Polyps Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 169 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my first marine fish i've gotten a few more tank-mates since the clown (see below), and i've been feeding them half a cube of brine shrimp and half a cube of mysis once a day. it seems to be working just fine. thanks for the feedback __________________ 34 Gallon Red Sea Changed from 10 gal. basic freshwater after a few years. It always comes back to Nemo

08-28-2007, 02:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
hma Golden Moray Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 2,191 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: my first marine fish i'm so sorry but a Hippo tang is not suitable for 34 gal. , he becomes simple too big for it. He grows very fast and is in approx. 1-1,5 years Too large for a 34 gal. tank. Possibly before, according to which how big he is at the moment. __________________ Heinz Luck is a good health and a bad memory (Albert Schweitzer) Balling Method : Balling +Plus Video : Centropyge potteri Tools : Balling Calculator My Chronicle and ReefDreams HM-Aquarium Photo Calendar 2008 "IF SHARKS DIE, THE SEA DIES" Last edited by hma : 08-28-2007 at 02:45 PM. Reason: i'm to old and stupid ;-)

08-28-2007, 10:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
Fionn_Matt325 Star Polyps Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 169 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: my first marine fish he's about the size of a half-dollar right now. when i see it's getting too big i'll take corrective actions, but it's comfortable now. the owner of the lfs where i got the tank which is strictly deals with fish and aquariums ok'd it __________________ 34 Gallon Red Sea Changed from 10 gal. basic freshwater after a few years. It always comes back to Nemo

08-28-2007, 10:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
hma Golden Moray Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 2,191 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: my first marine fish Please do not understand as a criticism, it was meant only as a reference. __________________ Heinz Luck is a good health and a bad memory (Albert Schweitzer) Balling Method : Balling +Plus Video : Centropyge potteri Tools : Balling Calculator My Chronicle and ReefDreams HM-Aquarium Photo Calendar 2008 "IF SHARKS DIE, THE SEA DIES"

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