That's the going price for Picasso Clowns, I paid $100 for mine from J&L. That ORA stuff is pricey.

less stress with the lights off and not hanging around the tank

Ohh, Didn't realize they were Picasso's

Actually they are Semi-Picasso's. The middle line doesn't connect to the real line on both sides as like a cross.

You should not need to acclimate the fish more than 1 hour give or take a few minutes.

We acclimate the same clowns after being in a box for 24hours, and have had no problems with just 1 hour of dripping.

Give them a day or two, they should be just fine.

Ken - BWA

swim bladder problem can happen from traveling to a different altitude if it is a swim bladder issue it will sort it self out in a couple days Mine did and there has been no other issues.

Bill

Great advise. Stay away from the tank as you are stressing the new fish.
Also put a bubbler in or place a powerhead just below the surface.
When fish hang around the top of the tank or break the surface it indicates a lack of oxygen.

I still have no idea if all is good or not.....

One fish is eating fine. The other fish ate fine last night but nothing at all today. Both fish never ventured more than an inch or two from the spot they have hosted.
The fish that is currently not eating is still swimming bizarrely. It spends a lot of time with the mouth pointing towards the sand...and then basically just hovers other than that.
The other fish (the one that is eating now) does swim to the top back down and does appear to be playing with the flow from the powerhead but again never ventures from the spot and still appears very lethargic

All my levels are still good. Breathing appears to be normal... neither fish is going to the surface gasping for air like they were that first night.

I should also mention this...

When I purchased them, I asked the store to feed them before I took them home. The one fish (the one that is eating for me now) ate like crazy just like he is doing at home. The other did eventually take some frozen shrimp but would not leave their hosted anemone and took only one bite. The staff told me they had been fed earlier and said she was just full. I am not convinced...

What would you do?

(Tank is a 33 gallon, no other fish, just a peppermint shrimp and snails. Levels are as follows.
temp 79.5, ph 8.4, alk 9, ammon: 0-0.1, nitrate= 0, nitrite = 0, calc: 420

Any advice welcomed

They've still only been in your system for several days, correct? When I introduced the first Maroon clownfish into my system, he didn't eat for a week. Was still a juvenile and did laps along the glass during the day, relaxed at night. I know yours are a different species and behaving differently, but I don't think it's a major cause for concern yet, since they are both eating, one more than the other, but eating nonetheless. I have no idea where mine got the energy to do laps for a week without eating and I was panicking wondering what to do. After the first week he settled right down and started eating regularly.

You mention your clowns were in an anemone at the LFS. Is there one in your system for them as well? If not, they're likely a little shocked at being displaced from their host anemone. Give it a few more days and with any luck they'll get over the shock of new surroundings and settle in.

Edit: Just noticed your parameter nos. Ammonia 0-0.1 & Nitrite, Nitrate 0? Is this a newer system, perhaps still cycling? Ideally your Ammonia level should be at 0 before introducing any livestock...

+1 on the new tank I think Mike.

Bill

Hi i noticed you are using the new digital heaters from fluval. I saw them on sale, i was wondering how well they work. I am thinking of getting a couple of them. thanks