Clowns and Anemone (1 Viewer)

[Attydelvalle]

Had a pair of clown and anemone in the same tank for a couple of weeks and didn’t “bond”. So, I decided to put them together in a container. How long do I leave them in there before putting in a tank to ensure that they will host once released?

 

[Tenny]

I don't think it's ever guaranteed. Clowns have a specific host anemone that they are bonded with in the wild and getting that combo is most likely to succeed. I've seen tanks where they never bonded. Assuming you have good filtration for the "container" you may be able to leave them in there until they bond but they may never bond with it. I personally wouldn't do it for very long as a small container will probably increase their stress levels as they don't have any room to swim and unless it's plumbed into the big system the water parameters will fluctuate very quickly.

 

[sneezebeetle]

I once went so far to try and get my clowns to host my nem when I first got into the hobby that I taped pictures of clowns hosting a nem all over my tank in the hopes that they'd get a clue....I even read somewhere where someone set up their kids monitor by their tank with Finding Nemo playing. Im sure it was a joke, but sure made me laugh.

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[Tangs]

As an idea you can feed your clown fish fish food just above the anemone. As the food drops into the anemone the clown fish might go into it and possibly the start of some sort of bond. I have always found with pets it is all about food.

 

[reeftopia]

When I bought my first carpet bought 4 pr of clowns all different. carpet eventually ate them all. Nothings guaranteed here.

 

[Attydelvalle]

Well, I placed them all together for less than 24 hours and released in the tank. They all went on their merry separate ways. I figured I’ll have to sequester them together another time and for a couple of days. 2 days later, I added 2 Anthias in the tank, and the clowns darted to the anemone and have been there ever since. I’m smitten and a proud mommy.

 

[frankc]

That's very interesting. Were the clowns the only fish in the tank before you added the Anthias? Maybe they didn't feel the need for the security of the anemone until there were other fish around.

I'm glad it worked out.

 

[Attydelvalle]

No. There was a Blenny and a McCosker. Those two were very mellow though.

 

[mphan]

I just bought a BTA and about a week later, I did not find my pair of clown. I can not find them anywhere. The night before both looks healthy, but was missing the next day. I suspect the BTA ate them both. Very weird, now i'm afraid to buy another pair and it becomes fish food. I do target feed BTA with mix seafood. Very frustrating and sad

 

[Reefahholic]

I typically find that clowns will hang out wherever they're most comfortable in a tank when first introduced.

Example...If there is already a fish population and you put a pair in, they might end up in the top corner of the tank for weeks, months, etc. Or if you drop them down a acrylic tube directly into the anemone....they will most likely stay there because they feel secure.

I've had clowns that wouldn't touch my anemone for months and others that plunge directly into them.

Recently...I had a small clown that was absolutely terrified of a LTA. I'd try to push him into it and he would rather get hit with the PVC pipe than go into it. I put him in a cup with the nem and he stayed at the top. So I then dropped the anemone on him in about 3" of water. He was scared but quickly realized that this was better than the originally thought. I know I know...so cruel!!

Then I couldn't get him out of it. I honestly think that he had never been hosted by one, because he was a very young clown. Most of my others usually dive right into them fairly quick. They really seem to prefer BTA, Magnifica, and Gigantea's.

 

[oguzman]

Awesome! They hosted, a local LFS owner showed me a trick. Get the clown in a bag with the nem have them touch for a couple of minutes. They hosted right after that, its a little intense, but I saw it work.

 

[PorpoiseHork]

Nice.

Heh... My Mocha's are currently hosting the under the shadow overflow box....

 

[Reefahholic]

Nice.

Heh... My Mocha's are currently hosting the under the shadow overflow box....

Yep, once they get comfortable they won't move for a while.

 

[Reefahholic]

Where is the anemone? Can you bring it to them?

 

[PorpoiseHork]

My BTA is in my other tank with the fuzzy lion fish. I have been on the fence about moving them to that tank and moving a pair of maroon gold stripes I have in a 5g nano to the 75g. The reason I haven't done this yet is I think the male maroon may have an issue with his swim bladder since he is always laying on the sand bed. Goofy fish will swim around and then stop and lay on the sand then flap the upward facing pectoral fin... He'll pop right up if i touch the glass near him or when I feed them, but otherwise he just lays there, and the female will then come by and perch on top of him.... I thought bout moving the BTA to the 75g but deccided against it with it being so heavily stocked with corals that I know I'd be constantly rearranging when the nem decided to go on walkabout. Also it's not like the mochas don't have options to host with all the inviting hammers, torches, and frogspawn corals to choose from....

 

[Reefahholic]

My BTA is in my other tank with the fuzzy lion fish. I have been on the fence about moving them to that tank and moving a pair of maroon gold stripes I have in a 5g nano to the 75g. The reason I haven't done this yet is I think the male maroon may have an issue with his swim bladder since he is always laying on the sand bed. Goofy fish will swim around and then stop and lay on the sand then flap the upward facing pectoral fin... He'll pop right up if i touch the glass near him or when I feed them, but otherwise he just lays there, and the female will then come by and perch on top of him.... I thought bout moving the BTA to the 75g but deccided against it with it being so heavily stocked with corals that I know I'd be constantly rearranging when the nem decided to go on walkabout. Also it's not like the mochas don't have options to host with all the inviting hammers, torches, and frogspawn corals to choose from....

You need to vent that swim bladder. He should do fine after that.