Is my clownfish depressed?

[dazed_knots]

Hey everyone,

I'm having a pretty rough day - my lovely angel fish passed away. Nemo the clownfish isn't himself now; his eating habits are off and he just seems really down. Do you guys think it's possible for fish to get depressed? What can I do to help him out?

[fruitblast]

They probably have, that's why you should know the sex of the remaining one. Get another angel, same size, same sex, pretty similar to the one that passed, and that might get Nemo back to normal.

[dazed_knots]

I think that breeding idea might not work, cherub angelfish and ocellaris clownfish aren't exactly compatible. Maybe getting another active fish would perk him up though?

[oceanix_10]

I think having another clownfish in the tank would be a good idea, so you've got a pair. The loss of a similar sized tankmate might've had an effect, but it's unlikely to be depression due to them being different species. I'd say it's more stress, but having a pair of clownfish will show you their true playful nature.

[dazed_knots]

I already have a pair of clowns and I'm really not keen on adding another. Would another active fish be enough to lift his mood, or is that just wishful thinking?

[oceanix_10]

Considering your clownfish were already attached to the deceased pygmy, it's likely due to their natural preference for pairing up. This probably led to the bond they formed with the cherub angel fish, as it was a social companion for them.

Replacing the pygmy with a similar fish isn't a guaranteed fix, but it could work. On the other hand, introducing a different fish might also have a positive effect, or it might not.

Ultimately, the decision on what to restock is yours, but if you're against getting another clownfish, I'd suggest sticking with a fish of similar size and temperament to the pygmy.

[dazed_knots]

I've just introduced my Black fin fairy wrasse to the tank, it was getting picked on in my other one so fingers crossed that'll help perk Nemo up a bit. Thanks for all your advice, I really appreciate it.

[oceanix_10]

Is the Black fin fairy wrasse similar to the Scott's Fairy Wrasse, I've heard of those before?

[dazed_knots]

No, it's a Black fin fairy wrasse. I've actually had a rethink and I've come to realize it wasn't ideal keeping her in a 10-gallon tank. I've since traded her in and I've got a Sunrise Dottyback on hold now.

[oceanix_10]

I'm thinking of getting a fish that needs at least a 30 gallon tank.