There’s a flurry of sand stirring up in the aquarium! What’s going on? Why is this clownfish kicking up sand? Is this a game or just spring cleaning? Let’s find out why.
Why Does My Clownfish Kick Up Sand? Clownfish will kick up sand for no reason at all, They are most likely playing or don’t like the way things look in their environment.
Does this mean we don’t have to clean the tank now? No! Clownfish are doing their own thing and we need to do our part to make sure the tank is clean as a whole.
Why Do Clownfish Move Sand?
First and foremost, there is no reason to be concerned. This is quite normal. One answer is that it’s part of the mating ritual.
Males may kick up sand in a form of dance to court the female. It may seem like the sand is moving all over the place for a bigger reason. The reason could just be that the male is trying to get the female’s attention.
Another reason is that they are simply cleaning up their space. Everyone wants to sleep in a clean bed. Clownfish may feel that moving the sand helps clean up the area from debris so they can rest in peace.
Clownfish also wish to manipulate the sand near the anemone. The anemone hosts the clownfish and it’s clearly alive with poisonous tentacles. Moving the sand around the anemone is also a considerate move by the clownfish.
One more reason is that they’re clearing the space to get ready to spawn their eggs. The female may aggressively kick up sand in a flurry to get prepared for the inevitable delivery of eggs. She wants it just right, so let’s let her have at it!
Let’s list some of these reasons for easy reading:
- Mating
- Cleaning
- Helping the anemone
- Preparing for spawning
What Does Occasional Sand Digging Mean?
It can mean a few things. Occasionally the clownfish want to make their living space feel just right. It isn’t the same type of cleaning we do, but that’s what it is to them. They are acting fussy sometimes and wish for the space to be cleaned or cleared up.
There may be some debris or tiny matter that we aren’t noticing. The clownfish see it or feel it and they want it out of there! They kick up the sand furiously to remove any obstructions, discomforts or debris that’s in the way.
Some clownfish dig up sand right under the anemone. They may find some buried treasure like the remains of fish the anemone didn’t consume. Clownfish are omnivores and they’re opportunistic. This could be a free snack.
Female clownfish will occasionally give birth. They may prepare the sand before they settle down to do their essential business of giving life by spawning eggs. Let’s try not to interfere.
What Does Constant Sand Digging Mean?
Here are some personality traits that you might be observing with constant sand digging.
- Instinctive
- Destructive
- Bedding behavior
- Obsessive
- Active
- Silly
The act of sand digging is natural and instinctive in clownfish. Since clownfish are territorial, they may try to stir up the nest of other fish. They could be digging and ruining the spaces where other fish used to be comfortable.
Sand digging is observed in the wild and in captivity. Clownfish aren’t the only species that are guilty of this. This could be bedding behavior as they get ready to rest and relax.
Constant digging may become an obsession as part of their silly personality. Clownfish are active and looking for something to do. Digging in the sand keeps them busy and it’s much better than trying to destroy the aquarium!
Should I Try to Stop Them Digging in the Sand?
The short answer is no. Would you like the clownfish to ruin the water line instead? What if the digging clownfish is messing up the decor?
You go to the local fish store and notice one of those little old school scuba diver statuettes. They look funny with the big masks and you prop it up so it looks like it’s swimming upwards from the floor of the aquarium.
Suddenly a clownfish shows up and digs the sand around it. The little scuba diver figurine has now fallen on its side. This annoys you. You want the clownfish to stop digging in the sand.
It’s going to be a challenge to force a creature to stop doing something instinctually. Removing them from the sandy aquarium is going to be the easiest option.
Should I Replace the Substrate in the Tank?
This is definitely not recommended if your tank is hosting healthy fish already. There are colonies of bacteria that reside in the substrate. They help with the waste in the tank by eating some of them up or neutralizing them.
There are benefits to keeping healthy bacteria in the substrate that contribute to a comfortable ecosystem for your fish. If regular cleaning procedures are met, cleaning the substrate should be one of the final options.
If the gravel is going to be changed, then remove the fish first. Try not to do it following a filter change. Do it before or avoid it altogether unless absolutely necessary,
Do Clownfish Lay Eggs in the Sand?
Yes! Clownfish lay eggs in the sand to hide them from potential predators. The male’s job is to protect the eggs and care for them. If the female thinks he’s a lazy slacker, she’ll find another mate.
Clownfish like to lay eggs near the anemone that hosts them. The anemone protects the area because the other creatures don’t want to get near their poisonous tentacles.
Clownfish will lay their eggs on a rock, coral or anywhere they feel is safe in their aquarium. The sand is one of their options.
Why is my Female Clownfish Spitting Sand?
The female Clownfish is spitting sand because she’s making a nest. It’s actually really enjoyable to watch. The male and female clownfish have different roles in their relationship.
The female is more territorial and this action could indicate that as well. Most likely though, it’s a motherly act of creating the best nest for her eggs.
The male will protect the nest with everything he’s got or else he’ll be replaced. The female wants the space to be just right for her eggs. This is why you will notice the sand spitting happening from the females.
Conclusion
The main reasons for all this fun with sand are simply because it’s their instinctive nature to clean up and get ready to reproduce.
They will stir it up and there may even be some sand spitting. It’s all part of the excitement when keeping clownfish. They’ll entertain you and make you laugh!
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