Best nem to get Picasso clowns to host

[jmyers4318]

I am set on getting a pair of Picasso clowns and want to do it right the first time to get the best chance for them to host a nem. I was thinking of keeping it easy with a bubble tip but my question is should I go with a different nem to get the best possible chance of the clowns hosting?

44 gal 50lb lr aquamaxx hob fluval 305 ocean revive LEDs. Tank has been set up for six months in May. 1 blue mushroom, and mixed zoas, 1 arrow crab, and a sufficient cleaning crew. Tank has been stable with 10-15% water change every two weeks (kinda overkill for not much bio load) not dosing anything and using reef crystals

 

[mcfa2403]

The only natural host anemone for percula that works in that tank size is a sebae. However, sebae can be tricky if you have never kept anemones before and for that matter even if you have.

Remember that picasso clowns are tank raised and may not readily recognize anemones. I have an onyx paired with a snowflake with 6 bubble tips and the female is just getting to where she will get near them. They used a corner as a host for a couple of months and now use a torch coral.

My recommendation if you want to use a nem is to get a bubble tip because they are more forgiving then most and will work in that size tank (plus I think they look nice). your best bet to get them to host would be to get a substantially large BTA at the same time you get the picassos and quarantine them together. Remember that the clowns will not have adapted to the sting so make sure they can get away from the nem, but with limited space and nothing else in the tank they should take to it.

 

[davocean]

For best results we shoot for a natural host nem match, and for picasso's that would be a Mag, Gig, or Crispa(which is one of two types of sebae I am familiar w/, the other sebae is a Malu which is not natural)
The difference in acceptance is huge.
While quite often clowns do accept alternatives to their natural in the wild hosts, it often takes longer, sometimes much longer, occasionally never.
Of those natural hosts I mentioned H. crispa would be most forgiving, but they do get big and need strong light.
As to tank bred clowns accepting nems, it is their natural instinct regardless of being tank raised.

 

[jmyers4318]

Thanks for the input, I have had percula clowns in the past with a bubble tip and they never took. Both were healthy and fine for 2 plus years before I sold the tank but I really want a pair of clowns to host a nem that's all that will be going in the tank maybe add a cleaner shrimp eventually and some more softies

 

[MachPilot]

Mag, Gig, or crispa. The gig would be first choice - perculas rarely refuse a gig. However, if they are not wild, its really all a crap shoot imo.

 

[mcfa2403]

For best results we shoot for a natural host nem match, and for picasso's that would be a Mag, Gig, or Crispa(which is one of two types of sebae I am familiar w/, the other sebae is a Malu which is not natural)
The difference in acceptance is huge.
While quite often clowns do accept alternatives to their natural in the wild hosts, it often takes longer, sometimes much longer, occasionally never.
Of those natural hosts I mentioned H. crispa would be most forgiving, but they do get big and need strong light.
As to tank bred clowns accepting nems, it is their natural instinct regardless of being tank raised.

Just wanted to say that I completely agree with this my point was more that in that particular set up any of the natural host anemones would be difficult to keep (size and lighting, plus the filtration could become an issue if the nem were to die I would suspect an entire system crash) and that while BTA may not be the best host it is the most likely to thrive. Plus the added bonus that these can be captive raised as well. Also agree that finding a host is a natural instinct my point was more that it is less predictable when it comes to captive reared and that sometimes it may take longer (they also seem more likely to use the "wrong" host).

Anyways just wanted to clarify my point. Davocean is correct, personally my concern is that with that aquarium you may have issues down the road with natural hosts and was just trying to suggest an alternative with a higher probability of a successful outcome.

 

[davocean]

We've been selectively breeding dogs for I don't know how many years, yet how many of us have seen our dogs walk in circles to "lay down the grass" before lying down?lol
Instinct is very difficult to breed out of an animal IMO.
I will say that in that size tank a natural host may end up making that somewhat of a nem/clown tank, as there will not be much room for corals, other than say shrooms or zenia or something that can handle nem contact.
A crispa max's at about 2' in diameter.

 

[shifty51008]

However, if they are not wild, its really all a crap shoot imo.

sorry but wild or tank bred makes no difference weather or not they will go to an anemone. it is all from instinct not because they have seen it before.

 

[docdlo]

I've had stubborn clowns throughout the years but I've found a few techniques that have helped me get my clowns to host. Since most of my clowns will literally eat out my finger tips I spot feed them near or on the bubble nem. After a week they have gotten comfortable abs stated to host nem. I've done this with about 4 different clowns and maybe it's luck but it's worked