Clownfish and Anemones – Opinions please…

[mkarston]

Clownfish and Anemones â€"œ Opinions please…

OK, so here is my situation. I have had 1 perc 1”-1.5”and 1 maroon 2”-3” for over two years now (they started off in my 90 gal and are now in my 210). I once had a blue carpet anemone and my perc would not go to it. I once had a bubble tip and of course the maroon loved it. Like I said, I’ve since torn down my 90 gal, setup my 210 gal and as of a few days ago, didn’t have any Anemones.

The other day, my manager (who had a 150 gal reef) called me and said his tank sprung a leak and he asked me if I could help tear it down and if I wanted his live stock. So one of the things I took was a giant green carpet anemone. Trying to ignore the facts that I knew that maroons won’t pair with carpets, and my perc is too stupid to go to them, I was really hoping that one of would still pair with it.

So here is what I need your opinions on:
1. Do I try to get a clownfish that with go to my anemone (this comes with the risk of it doing battle with my current 2 clowns)
2. Do I buy a BTA for my maroon?
3. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Craig

 

[ninjamini]

1. Do I try to get a clownfish that with go to my anemone (this comes with the risk of it doing battle with my current 2 clowns)

No they might fight. But your tank is big and they may not find each other. But why rish it?


2. Do I buy a BTA for my maroon?

No owning an anemone is crewl. They live very long lives in the ocean and we do not know how to care for them. Usuially killing them within a year or two.


3. Any other ideas?

Be happy with what you have.

 

[45commando]

While I don't think owning an anemone is cruel(I've had some of mine for about 10 years-that were tank raised),I wouldn't suggest adding another,just to try & make the fish happier.I have a few bubble tips & carpets,like you I have two different types of clownfish.I have a pair of skunk clowns that only go into either carpet.I also have a pair of false percs that only used to hang out in the green bubble tip.They have now decided to go to the red bubble tip & also the carpets.I had lways thought,that a clown would stay loyal to one anemone,but these guys will daily go to 4 different anemones.this will result in a small scuffle,when they are at the carpets,due to the skunks.I'd say give the percs time & they may take to the carpets over time.You could try feeding them close to the carpet to try & coax them also.Good luck,HTH

 

[Husky_1]

So you gave me a stupid fish? Man I should make you take it back then..

 

[mkarston]

I wouldn’t worry…. your toy tank likely won’t be home to any anemone.

 

[bawla47]

id try and feed them close to the anemone like 45commando suggests,

at night, you can try getting a clear acrylic rod, and slowly try and coax them close to the anemone, sometimes when they get close enoguh theyll jump in.

you can also try taping a picture of a large predator fish on the tank, not sure if it works or not, but in theory the clownfish will get scared, and look for immediate protection from the anemone worth a shot i guess.

i got lucky, i added a RBTA not too long ago, and my female false perc took to it in aabout a week without any coaxing. my male still hasnt jumped in yet, he just hovers above the anemone.

anyhow HTHs a bit