Fish/Sand

[SSalty]

I am a newbie to this. Why do the fish put there body into the sand and flap there fins real fast to kind of dig in the sand? It pisses me off because they dig little holes mainly on the corner of my tank making it look like shit. I have been moving the sand back in the hole, maybe they will get the idea.

Any thoughts?

 

[bobby]

You only have damsels right? If so I dont know why, mine never did that. There are some fish that dig, and live in the sand like gobys.

 

[JellyMan]

what type of fish is it??

 

[SSalty]

A blue damsel and a Maroon Clown. They both do it.

Is it a way of cleaning them selves?

 

[JellyMan]

not that I am aware of, something doesnt sound right about that. Mine have never done that. And I currently have two maroons and I have raised the blue terrors. What is your temp? Do they show any signs of stress??

 

[jermpool]

Do you have any rock in your tank? I have heard of fish rubbing against rock if they have a parasite. Examine them closely and see if they have white specs on them or any other irregularity.

 

[Bifferwine]

I second the parasite theory. It sounds like they might be scratching themselves.

 

[yote]

My sebaclown digs like that. She puts her nose up against the rock that her BTA has attached to and sends sand flying. Reckon its just her way ofcleaning house.

 

[SSalty]

not that I am aware of, something doesnt sound right about that. Mine have never done that. And I currently have two maroons and I have raised the blue terrors. What is your temp? Do they show any signs of stress??

80 degrees. And no, they don't show any irregular signs.

 

[JellyMan]

My theory was parasite as well which is the reason I was asking for the signs of stress. Second thought was they may be warm.

 

[Bifferwine]

Clowns like to back up into stuff and flop their fins around too. Just a habit that they have.

 

[JellyMan]

how are they doing?

 

[SSalty]

Haha, they are no longer in my hands. I always had the intentions of getting rid of the two, they came with the tank when I bought it. My friend which owns a small fish store gave me store credit for the maroon clown and the damsel and I bought two young Percula Clowns. I told him about the behavior and he said he would keep an eye out. So, hopefully they will be ok.

 

[JellyMan]

well at least they wont trouble you any longer.