Clown Hosting

[Neoz]

So long story short version. Seems my clown has decided to host in my Duncans. Only problem is now my Duncans are constantly closing up from the clown thrashing about in them. When the clown is not in there its bigger then a softball.

Anyone have this happen? Will the Duncan eventually get used to it? Only started a day ago. Should I get the clowns another Anemone?

 

[toddmh]

I'd think if the clown had a nem to cuddle with in the past they will replace it with just about anything

 

[Bluephish13]

yes clowns can smother the host to death i have heard of this happening with frog spawns.

If the duncans do not adjust i suggest moving them to a spot the clowns dislike.


I have had 2 clowns for 3 years now and tried many things for them to host and only in the last month have the started acting as a pair and hosting a frogspawn. They even cleared out the sand beneath it and look like they are ready to mate. 3 yrs of never touching a coral and like a switch went off they are hosting. My frogspawn was originally purchased for them so thats good, and now it seems to be looking better than ever with the new attention.

I could watch clowns all day, so cool the way they need to rub themselves in it the host constantly.

My clowns are tank raised and never seen a anemone.

 

[Neoz]

I had a small tank raised anemone for about a 2 weeks. Looked good the first days. Even eat good at the start. Then it just slowly declined and I'm still not sure what happened. I really want another but I need to fix or wait till I find out what happened.

Hope it doesn't hurt the Duncans. Purchased this with about 4 or 5 heads. Now it has close to 20 heads.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

if the coral is large and/or thriving this arrangement can work.

if the coral is small and/or stressed by the fish (and obviously declining as a result) you need to make other arrangements in order to save the coral.

looks like a nice percula. nice Duncan, too!

 

[Neoz]

The Duncan is very healthy. Like I said without the Perc in there it opens up and its whiskers are long and flowing in the current. Perc dives in and you get the result of the above picture. Whiskers out but very short. At least its my smaller male Perc and not the female being shes much bigger

If I were to get another anemone you think the Perc would give up on the duncan?

 

[Jacwil]

Unfortunately I don't think you will know until you try it.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Unfortunately I don't think you will know until you try it.

I agree. At this point your best bet might be to move the Duncans to another location in the aquarium while placing the anemone you already have in their spot.
Make sure to read the RC Anemone FAQ. Percula naturally host with certain anemone species and will sometimes shun others indefinitely.

 

[Neoz]

I had a tank raised RBTA. Only had him about 2 weeks. Is it possible that my Phosphate levels had something to do with its demise? It read 0.25 mg/L for my last test using a Nutrafin test kit. I have a Saliert test kit coming this week along with my GFO reactor.

Does anyone know how to convert that reading of 0.25 mg/L to ppm's?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

IME PO4 and nitrates have insignificant detrimental effects upon most anemone species in the trade.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Does anyone know how to convert that reading of 0.25 mg/L to ppm's?

1 mg/L = 1 ppm

 

[Neoz]

Thanks Gary at least I can cross that off my lists as a culprit. It did move around a bit until finally coming to rest were I thought it was happy. But in the end it just kept declining. So you can see why I'm hesitant about putting another one right in.

Reading the Anemone FAQ it says to get an anemone big enough to host the clown. My clown was about the same size as my little anemone. I'm wondering if that could of been it. I think I have a picture I'll go see and upload it..

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

clown. My clown was about the same size as my little anemone. I'm wondering if that could of been it. I think I have a picture I'll go see and upload it..

no need to upload pic- this was part of your problem for sure.

 

[Neoz]

So let me ask you being you have much more experience. I'm reading thru the Anemone FAQ. I downloaded it for future use . What size and breed anemone would you recommend for me being new.


My tank is 7 months old now. I feel like my tank is starting to really take off in the last few weeks. Changing the flow by adding vortechs, adding my new XM bulbs and stepping up my weekly water changes has started to bring the colors of the corals back. Slowly but they are coming back. Even my Algae outburst is dwindling. :celeb1:

Ultimately I would like to get one of these http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+499+602&pcatid=602
but I don't think it would be wise for me to start with one of those. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations which one would be more suitable for me?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I still think a captive raised (if possible) BTA (bubbletip anemone) Entacamaea quadricolor is the best choice for you but you should try a larger one.

Haddon's anemone is a fish eater.