My clownfish turned from scaredy-cat to tank boss in about 3 weeks after I added a single rock

I threw in this big piece of dry rock from my garage that had been sitting out for like a year. Rinsed it off good first. Before that rock my clown would hide behind the powerhead every time I walked near the tank. Now he chases my hand during water changes. Anyone else have a fish personality shift like that after a simple decor change?

3 comments

3 Comments

coleman.jamie1mo ago

My buddy tossed a plastic plant in his tank and his angel fish went full bully mode overnight.

david_henderson61mo ago

My 55 gallon tank went nuts when I added plastic decor, same as your friend. I swapped the fake plant for a real java fern and the angel calmed down within a week. Sometimes those bright colors and sharp edges just trigger their territorial instincts, so natural stuff really helped me.

hugo_cooper1mo ago

You said "those bright colors and sharp edges just trigger their territorial instincts" and honestly that makes a ton of sense now. I used to think fish were pretty dumb and any rock was just a rock to them. But after reading your story with the java fern calming the angel down, it clicked for me. My clownfish went from hiding to a total jerk after I added that dry rock, which is basically a big boring grey lump. If I had tossed in something bright and jagged I bet he would have gone even more nuts. This kind of stuff makes me realize how much fish actually pay attention to their surroundings. I'm gonna be way more careful about what I put in the tank from now on.