Clownfish Swimming vertically on sides of tank

[zoe11032]

Hey all, I’m new here! I have 2 mocha clowns, who I just got 2 days ago. I also have 2 hermit crabs in there. I have a 13.5 gal fluval EVO which I’ve been cycling for 6 weeks. Last night around 1am, the fish started swimming vertically up and down on the corners of the tank, this morning, however, they are completely back to normal. I’ll post all info of my tank below if that’s a possible culprit. Some people say this is a normal night time behavior for clownfish, just making sure.

pH: 7.9-8.0
salinity: 1.023
temp: 77.5-78
nitrates: 5ppm

 

[fishguy242]

hi ,welcome to the reef.
pics and or a short video ,can help experts.
#fishmedic

 

[Sharkbait19]

Welcome to the forum!
Definitely sounds like clowns just being clowns, but as said, pics and a video will help to make sure.

 

[Bucs20fan]

This appears to be a common case of your clowns hosting the corners of your tank and sleeping. Both of my clowns do the same thing on the return from the filter. Once lights are on, they return back to normal. Clownfish will always host "something" Maybe a thermometer or a heater or their favorite rock. But usually it is something silly like the silicone seal on your tank.

 

[threebuoys]

clownfish swimming practices often confound me. Mine have adopted a corner of the tank, just as other have indicated.

If you can supply a video, we'll look at it to see if anything unusual, but at the moment I'd chalk it up to new fish in a new tank.

 

[rmorris_14]

Mine does this when he is sleeping. They are funny little things. I think something is wrong with my male regularly. Just a clown being a clown. Hope that ends up being that case for yours as well.

 

[zoe11032]

It’s only late at night, I’ll try to record some video tonight. They’re completely normal and eating now

 

[moorjames]

Mine do that when sleeping- sometimes right at the surface by the corner- sounds like you have normal clowns

 

[blaxsun]

Mine also used to do that when sleeping. As soon as I added an anemones and they laid claim to it, they never stray very far (and they stay with the anemone even at night when it's closed).