Bulb Anemone Stinging Clowns

[DanDashO]

I've had a pair of Ocellaris Clowns and a green Bulb Anemone (well, now it's three anemones...) in a 20 gallon tank for over three years. I feed each anemone a piece of squid once a week, but today after feeding them, they sting the clowns any time the clowns try to go into them. The lights are off on the tank now, and the pair of clowns are franticly trying to find an alternative sleeping spot. Anyone have any idea why this is happening?

 

[shifty51008]

Anemones will sting clowns until they build up their coating, it is natural so nothing to worry about. This is why we tell people not to force clowns into anemones though.

 

[DanDashO]

But the anemones have been hosting the this pair of clowns for over three years, it's just today they have started to sting them. (All three anemones are stinging the fish)

 

[pilot.darren]

very weird

 

[Dkuhlmann]

DanDashO there's a big frag swap in the cities this weekend. My buddy from here was going to be a vendor there but this snow storm is supposed to dump up to 10" or more on us this afternoon. :hammer: So he's not going to go

Yes that's very strange that all of a sudden they are getting stung.

 

[ThRoewer]

Did you do or might have happened anything that might make the fish shed their slime coat? Anny additions or changes?

 

[akida]

More often than not the clowns immune system may have decreased and as Roewer indicated they may have lost their slime coat partially. IF they are healthy they should regain it back soon.

 

[DanDashO]

I had performed a 10% water change earlier in the day, that may have caused them to lose their slime coat. Strange, I've never seen that happen before. They do seem back to normal today, however. Thanks everyone for your input!