Cool Clownfish Behavior!

[Funky_Fish14]

Hey everyone,

So I've seen clownfish chase away other fish before, maybe even things like shrimp, that are 'invading' their space. Today I walked into my room and my orange hermit crab was cruising toward their area (he always and only hangs out in the same area the clownfish do, hes only about 3/4" long). The male [black occelaris] clownfish 'swooped down' and gently nudged the hermit crab (it was hanging sideways off a rock) and then 'tail-whipped' a jet of water at it. He bumped it twice more and 'flicked' water at it several more times, eventually knocking it off the rock and moving him about 2" away. The female was supportive of the male's actions (if I can say that? Haha). I just thought it was way cool to see it 'blasting' the hermit with water with its tail.

Anybody else ever seen that? If so please share! Its super cool!

I also have another clown (a large cinnamon clown female that has two males living with her, yes I know the trio is unusual but its been like this for 2 years). Im kind of lazy and that tank has a lot of hair algae. The one place that is totally void of hair algae is the rocks/cave where these clowns live. If there are any clumps of algae growing she will not hesitate to rip them off, carry them out into the current and spit them out (where they end up sitting on the other side of the tank). I thought this behavior was kind of cool too!

Just wanted to share!

Cheers,

Chris

[BlueWorldAquatic]

CLowns like to use their tails also like Tangs. I see mine all the time use their tails for houscleaning, to remove sand from their hosting area.

Ken

[ScubaSteve]

I've got a maroon clown who does that with my hand whenever I enter his territory... which is the entire tank in his eyes.

[Funky_Fish14]

Ken: Ahh yes, seen that alot before! I've just never seen them do it to a crab. :/ lol.

Steve: Haha cool! Good things its not biting you! (Or I hope is not! Lol)

[Murminator]

Mine do that all time.........look for eggs

[rkelman]

Mine will even tail whip Asternia stars.<sp?>

[Funky_Fish14]

Haha really? Starfish? Thats cool.

And no, definitely no eggs yet. They are 'working' a couple spots yet (that are smooth, one on a nice rock, and one on a half-shell from a dead clam. I think they are a tad small, but may start laying soon. Female is starting to grow much more noticeably than the male.