Clownfish hosting corals in the wild? (not anemones)

[D5HP]

Hey RC,

This is mainly just a question out of curiosity...but do clownfish normally host non-anemones in the wild? Ever?

I didn't find anything in a search regarding this so I apologize if this has been covered before but I just haven't ever seen any photos of clowns in the wild hosting leathers (just an example)

I'd love some photos if there are some!

-Dustin

 

[elegance coral]

No. I've never seen or heard of a documented case of this taking place. It's hard to say that anything is impossible, but this is really close.

 

[Conrad25]

+1 on what EC said. Its not ever been recorded ever and in the wild the relationship between clowns and nems is mutual help as a clown gets protection and the nem gets fed usually by the clowns

 

[BonsaiNut]

Nope. I am not aware of clowns being hosted by corals in the wild. I have never read anything (or seen photos, for the matter) of this happening.

 

[JimmyODonnell]

Hi Dustin and others,

There is at least one recorded instance in the published literature (Arvedlund et al., Coral Reefs 2005- see link). This likely means that it happens more often than the single time it's been observed and reported!

Here's a link to the brief paper:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/k108285473065277/

Cheers!

Jimmy

 

[ocellaris123]

It's been a while since I have read Scott Michaels book on damsels and clownfish, but I believe in it he says that there have been occurances in which anemonefish adopt corals as host substitutes if they cannot find a proper host anemone. Probably a rare occurance and those clowns would likely get picked off by a predator if they do not move on to find a hosting anemone.

 

[deangelr]

Hi Dustin and others,

There is at least one recorded instance in the published literature (Arvedlund et al., Coral Reefs 2005- see link). This likely means that it happens more often than the single time it's been observed and reported!

Here's a link to the brief paper:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/k108285473065277/

Cheers!

Jimmy

Interesting first post there.. thanks for sharing

 

[D5HP]

Hi Dustin and others,

There is at least one recorded instance in the published literature (Arvedlund et al., Coral Reefs 2005- see link). This likely means that it happens more often than the single time it's been observed and reported!

Here's a link to the brief paper:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/k108285473065277/

Cheers!

Jimmy

Thanks Jimmy...great link too.

It's been a while since I have read Scott Michaels book on damsels and clownfish, but I believe in it he says that there have been occurances in which anemonefish adopt corals as host substitutes if they cannot find a proper host anemone. Probably a rare occurance and those clowns would likely get picked off by a predator if they do not move on to find a hosting anemone.

True.

Thanks for all the input guys I was just wondering this is great feedback!

Interesting first post there.. thanks for sharing

Seriously...great first post Jimmy.

 

[BonsaiNut]

There is at least one recorded instance in the published literature (Arvedlund et al., Coral Reefs 2005- see link). This likely means that it happens more often than the single time it's been observed and reported!

It is interesting to note that this was observed after the area had seen a major coral bleaching event and many local anemones had died. I wonder if this clown actually settled at the soft coral? Or did he move there because his anemone died? Or maybe he got kicked out of his anemone when more clowns had to compete for fewer anemones?

Regardless, it is a rare occurrence. Rare enough to warrant someone publishing a paper claiming "first ever".

 

[ocellaris123]

From Scott Michaels book Damselfishes and Anemonefishes, "On rare occasions, if anemone space is not available, anemonefishes will settle for a substitute host. For example, Clark's Anemonefish has been observed inhabiting large-polyped stony corals (e.g., Euphyllia ancora or Goniopora) and soft corals in the wild."

 

[BonsaiNut]

From Scott Michaels book Damselfishes and Anemonefishes, "On rare occasions, if anemone space is not available, anemonefishes will settle for a substitute host. For example, Clark's Anemonefish has been observed inhabiting large-polyped stony corals (e.g., Euphyllia ancora or Goniopora) and soft corals in the wild."

I'd be curious to know his source, because I'd like to read more about it.

A. clarkii may be alone in this regard. Note that the fish in the above article was also an A. clarkii. A. clarkii is the least specific clown in terms of choosing a host anemone - it is found in nine of the ten clown anemones in the wild.

 

[ocellaris123]

I'd be curious to know his source, because I'd like to read more about it.

A. clarkii may be alone in this regard. Note that the fish in the above article was also an A. clarkii. A. clarkii is the least specific clown in terms of choosing a host anemone - it is found in nine of the ten clown anemones in the wild.

It could be happening with other species, although not documented, but as you said it makes more sense with clarkiis, since they are least host specific.

Not sure on the source of the info

 

[AndoCleophus]

There is a book i found in a scuba shop in Florida, (would help if i could remember the name), but in it they showed a wild clarkii i believe hosting a old rotting shoe. Silly clownfish.