chrysopterus and anemone

[beachbreak]

I'll start by saying I have never liked clownfish. That was until I walked into my LFS and they had the biggest (6" at least) clownfish I had ever seen. Upon closer inspection I noticed it had blue stripes, teeth like a piranha and was just beautiful. I was smitten. I got all the info on the fish and began my research. To keep this short, we (I'm friends with the owner) liked the fish so much that he ordered the rest of the chrysopterus the wholesaler had. The day they were to arrive I met him at the shop so I could make my choice and the fish could go straight from the wholesaler to my system and bypass the LFS. Three fish came in, 2 orange tails and one white tail. I picked a medium sized orange tail (3" or so) with perfect scales and fins and went about my way. 3 hours out of the bag the fish was mowing down pellet and flake and has been in perfect health since.

As of today - the fish is now residing in my refugium in my main system as I decide what to do with it.

My problem and question is:

Do I set up a dedicated system for the fish and nem or risk putting a nem in a large SPS dominant tank? I've never owned an anemone due to reading horror stories of them wondering around a tank getting settled in nuking colonies of acropora as they pass. That can't happen. I've worked to hard on this tank to have something like that happen. I also can't risk a carpet - my fish list includes some rather rare ($$$) fish.

With that said - are there any anemones that will host chrysopterus, stay on the sand bed, stay out of the rock and that aren't quite as bad of fish killers?

If I started another tank - what would be an ideal size for a pair of these fish with anemone? Which anemone would you guys recommend for the species if they are the sole species in tank?

Any words of wisdom from other chrysopterus owners?

Thanks!

 

[Winwood]

From my experience you'll have a hard time keeping it out of any host anemones. So based on that, I would go with whatever species fits your system best. Perhaps a LTA might be a good fit given you have a proper spot for it.

 

[beachbreak]

That's actually one of the species that peaked my interest. I also run a 4" deep sand bed which would probably work out perfect for it.

Has anyone heard of or seen a chrysopterus take to anything other than an anemone? The reason I ask is that I have a large red gonipora (bigger than a softball now) that I grew from a pup that I'm pretty attached to. It's the only thing in the tank that even remotely looks like an anemone. I've seen clowns in hammers frogspawns etc and I'd rather not have the fish take to the coral then have to figure out how to get it out of the tank.

 

[ezhoops]

From my experience you'll have a hard time keeping it out of any host anemones. So based on that, I would go with whatever species fits your system best. Perhaps a LTA might be a good fit given you have a proper spot for it.

+ 1 the ones ive had hosted rbta, lta. Never risked a carpet


Post some pics when you get them

 

[Winwood]

That's actually one of the species that peaked my interest. I also run a 4" deep sand bed which would probably work out perfect for it.

Has anyone heard of or seen a chrysopterus take to anything other than an anemone? The reason I ask is that I have a large red gonipora (bigger than a softball now) that I grew from a pup that I'm pretty attached to. It's the only thing in the tank that even remotely looks like an anemone. I've seen clowns in hammers frogspawns etc and I'd rather not have the fish take to the coral then have to figure out how to get it out of the tank.

I would try to keep it out of your goniopora. Chrysopterus get quite large, possibly the largest of all the amphiprion species, and could potentially be quite rough on your goniopora. I believe people get away with smaller species such as perculas/ocellaris/skunks being hosted by corals because of their gentler nature on their homes. I would be real hesitant to allow any of the clarki complex members to host corals solely based on size alone.

I do however see the appeal of clowns being hosted by corals. About 7 years ago I had an enourmous flowerpot coral that hosted a pair of perculas and it was great. All the clown behavior with none of wandering and stinging of an anemone.

 

[Tmoriarty]

Perhaps you could create an isolated island and use a BTA. They have a fairly mild sting and while they can wander like any other anemone they may cause less damage. They are also far less likely to eat fish since they are not as potent as say a haddoni. I would either try that or an LTA.

 

[beachbreak]

Thanks guys! I'll try and get a photo of him/her in the fuge tonight. Speaking of the fuge; Ive considered removing the chaeto, adding a nem, throwing a sol or radion over the fuge (16x18x12) and just running it like that for a while as i build out the clown/anemone tank. Might be a little cramped for any length of time though. Opinions on that idea?

I'll look into both the LTA and BTA. Any "recommended reading" you guys can link me to for nems?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Whip316]

i had a huge pair as well. they are one of my fav too. i had mine in a large rbta, but if you got a lta it wont move and it will stay in the sand. ihaving them in a nem will also keep their color lighter and not get darker. i love the fiji blues with the yellow tails better than the SI ones with white tails. i would get a smaller 2" ish juvi to have a male for yours.. also beware those teeth do HURT and draw blood... my massive 6" female took some skin with her the last time she bit me.
unfortunately my pair died. i had a marineland stealth heater explode in my sump and it killed a few pairs. this was one of them. i plan on getting another pair. i think they are the most sensitive clowns out there along with the tricinctus.

 

[rssjsb]

Perhaps you could create an isolated island and use a BTA. They have a fairly mild sting and while they can wander like any other anemone they may cause less damage. They are also far less likely to eat fish since they are not as potent as say a haddoni. I would either try that or an LTA.

BTAs are less likely to catch and eat fish but they do wander and will do a lot of damage to anything that can't get out of the way (I speak from experience). Unless you've got the ability to build a separate (i.e., not touching any other rocks or the sides or back of the tank) bommie for them, I would not recommend them. An LTA seems the most logical choice.

 

[LargeAngels]

Just keep a very close eye on the chrysopterus. In the first 8 weeks they are known be very susceptible to getting sick and die quickly. Once past that stage they are very tough.

 

[ezhoops]

Just keep a very close eye on the chrysopterus. In the first 8 weeks they are known be very susceptible to getting sick and die quickly. Once past that stage they are very tough.

He beat me to it. Qt them they are very poor shippers

 

[Whip316]

He beat me to it. Qt them they are very poor shippers

yeah i bought 2 pairs trying to replace the first and both pairs didnt make it in QT.