Wild Caught Ocellaris

LucidGoblin · 03/29/2018, 07:46 PM

So, I bought a pair of ocellaris from my LFS that he claimed were a "bonded pair." (As far as that goes, one was much smaller than the other, and they weren't fighting.) I had hoped they would pair up, live in my BTA, and possibly mate. Well, the first thing I noticed is the larger one wanted nothing to do with the nem. In fact, she almost acted wary of it. Then I noticed she wouldn't relax and make herself at home in the tank the way the other fish were. She would just hover in one corner of the tank, breathing a little fast, acting nervous. (The smaller one acted a little more relaxed, but would stay with her.) She would barely eat, if at all. I also realized that she was a deeper orange color than most ocellaris you would see in a fish store. Then it dawned on me. She must be a wild caught fish, and wasn't adjusting well to captivity. (My water parameters are optimal, by the way, so I don't think this has anything to do with it.) Does my theory hold any water?

davocean · 03/29/2018, 08:14 PM

Sounds typical new to tank.

The BTA is not natural host match for occs,, so it could take time.

No, your theory does not hold water

j.falk · 03/30/2018, 06:47 AM

Give them time to adjust. Try putting a small flower pot in the tank to host...it helps them feel more secure and gives them a place to lay their eggs.

03/29/2018, 07:46 PM	#1
LucidGoblin Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 111	Wild Caught Ocellaris So, I bought a pair of ocellaris from my LFS that he claimed were a "bonded pair." (As far as that goes, one was much smaller than the other, and they weren't fighting.) I had hoped they would pair up, live in my BTA, and possibly mate. Well, the first thing I noticed is the larger one wanted nothing to do with the nem. In fact, she almost acted wary of it. Then I noticed she wouldn't relax and make herself at home in the tank the way the other fish were. She would just hover in one corner of the tank, breathing a little fast, acting nervous. (The smaller one acted a little more relaxed, but would stay with her.) She would barely eat, if at all. I also realized that she was a deeper orange color than most ocellaris you would see in a fish store. Then it dawned on me. She must be a wild caught fish, and wasn't adjusting well to captivity. (My water parameters are optimal, by the way, so I don't think this has anything to do with it.) Does my theory hold any water?

03/29/2018, 08:14 PM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Sounds typical new to tank. The BTA is not natural host match for occs,, so it could take time. No, your theory does not hold water __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/30/2018, 06:47 AM	#3
j.falk Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 632	Give them time to adjust. Try putting a small flower pot in the tank to host...it helps them feel more secure and gives them a place to lay their eggs.