First timer with a clarkii (odd behav.?)

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by OCDP

The LFS said it was some different type of clarkii though ( i thought i heard, african? ) the color on this guy is just amazing.. so bold and vibrant. Anyone have suggestions as to the type of clarkii? (I'll update with pics shortly!)

On to my story... I thought I read somewhere that clarkii's have a high respiration rate? as in... breathing fast (all the time?) is this true? I may be mistaken, but my clarkii still appears to be breathing fairly heavily... also, he seems quite skittish still. He will dart off to the back of the tank if I come too close/quick. He's doing the "bobbing" up and down motion quite a bit too. I just want to make sure everything is okay with him, he's too cool.

The tank he was in , he was all by himself, with a giant carpet anemone. Then when I went to get him yesterday, his host was gone but he was still theo nly one in that tank.. Also, if I am not mistaken, clarkii's are a natural host to BTA's? Well, in my 20g I have three of them and he has not yet noticed one of them what's the deal ! haha

Scott

(copy and pasted from RC clownfish forum.. it's dead there)

It probaly is a Clarkii. There are 2 color forms of these guys. The black and white and the yellowish brown and white. The sure way to tell is ALL clark's clowns have a white tail. This is just what I read in "Clownfish" by Joyce D. Wilkerson.

My Clarks had a fast breathing rate but not overly fast. They also did the hiding thing but when they learn you are the bringer food they will come and greet you. This bobing thing is how the clownfish got its name so dont be worried it is natural.

As for the hosts this is what they host in the wild:
bubbletip
long tenticle
Sticky Carpet
white sand
magnificant
sebea
beaded
giant carpet
saddle carpet
and mertans

so basicaly any anemone that will host clowns hosts clarkiis they are not too demanding. Give him time he will take a host when he is ready.

You seem to have lots of questions about clownfish why not pick up "clownfish" by Joyce d. Wilkerson. Exelent book. Throughly explains each type of clown, what anemone hosts what clowns, anemone replacements breeding and culutring food plus more. Definatly worth every penny. JMO Good luck. one more note Clark's are the easiest of all clowns to spawn so if you ever want to get into it clarks are your best bet aside from Ocellaris. Good luck and let us know how it comes along.