Why do Clowns dig/flash around in the sand?

[courterbobby]

My black O's do it constantly, even though they host in a frogspawn and a broken flower pot. I have noticed they do not just do it in their "territory", but all over the place. Mainly the female that does it, but when the male see's her doing it, he will do it right behind her in the same spot. I cannot find an answer besides "thats what they do". Just want to hear y'alls thoughts on it.

 

[smoothie]

Mine do it once in awhile. My blue damsel does it like mad. Maroons are the worst. The only thing I can come up with is making a more clean home for their host. If you want it to stop doing it deep into the sand add a flat rock or large shell under the sandbed

 

[courterbobby]

The tank they are in has about a 1" sand bed in it. I don't really mind it because they are not covering up anything, and the sand falls right back down. I am just curious as to the real reason why they do it. Tidy homes seems like the logical answer, as they also do it to their flower pot also, but sometimes they remind me of a dog dragging its butt across the carpet she will start in one spot and end in another, kinda like she is doing it for fun...

 

[jgoal55]

A common cause of fish flashing in the sand is ick. Not saying you have it, but it's a common cause......Many fish will do it occasionally, but if they are doing all the time and especially if they are doing it up against rocks/rougher surfaces you may want to take a good look at the fish to see if you see any white specks......

 

[courterbobby]

Thanks for the input, but I am not talking about flashing from parasite issues (scratching). This is more of plopping their butts down in the sand digging with their tails, even though what you said is a valid answer.
It seems to be fairly common, but there is no answer to why besides "they just do"

 

[jgoal55]

oh yeah......i thought you meant more of the scratching....yah, no idea then...seem them do what you're saying too. It's kind of fun to watch actually...

 

[jef4y]

Ahh yes, clown burnouts... It's just what they do...