Clown fish sucking on zoas

[Rudedog1212]

I'm sitting in front of my tank as I type and my female clown fish is sucking on the Zoa skirts causing them to close. She is not biting them yet... Has anyone else ever had a clown fish do this?

 

[Tkieu78]

I think I read somewhere it's typical behavior prior to hosting. I think lol

 

[GrizFyrFyter]

My black ice clowns use to do that to the anemones.

 

[SammyJ916]

It is a way they "introduce themselves" to the host. Part of creating the symbiotic relationship between the host and the clownfish. In this case it seems like your clownfish is wanting to be hosted by your zoas. Keep us updated!

 

[Rudedog1212]

I had just recently pulled my anemone out. ;(
What can I put in the tank besides an anemone for it to host? Frogspawn?

 

[degibson84]

There is a local who lost a very large bubble coral from her clown sucking/biting on it.

 

[Rudedog1212]

Not good.

The clowns in question are snowflakes.
I see a lot of flower pots being used to breed clowns. Should I throw one in?

 

[SammyJ916]

It really just depends on the clownfish and what they decide. A pot or another kind of coral could work and then again could not... All just deoends on the fish but it's worth a try.