clownfish not hosting

[Toddrtrex]

Using a net to scare them into it (( or putting both the clowns and anemone in a confined space )) is a bad idea, IMO. Could very well end up with a meal for your anemone --- if they aren't "ready" to be hosted, they won't be able to withstand the sting -- or not have enough of a slime coat so that the anemone doesn't recognize them as food.

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

I know it is a bad idea but I know somebody who had done it. It worked.

 

[myxsptlk]

As an update, sorry to hijack your thread. As I mentioned earlier I used the pic method on my orange clowns and it worked and I'm doing the same for my black clowns and an RBTA. 6th day now and both clowns are sleeping in the anemone at night. They swim around it during the day and hardly go in, but they should start immersing themselves in it in a few more days. So the picture method works! hehe

 

[Bernie21]

Did you use actual photo quality pictures or ones printed from aregular printer? Also how big was the picture?

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

Print out something on a regular 8.5"x11" and tape it to the tank next to the anemone.

 

[davocean]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15249118#post15249118 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bernie21
I like the pic Idea, but has any one thoght of renting a clown? I have never tried it but, I wonder if I borrowed a clown theat knows how to host a nem, put him in my tank, once he host the nem, remove him and return him to where he came from. I figure the other clowns would now host by learning through observation. I dont know, its just an Idea.

Actually, I have done this kinda by accident way long ago.
Had 2 occs, never went to nem, added a GSM that dove into nems, and the occs followed.
Not saying this is best idea by far(cause when GSM matured about 6 months later, it wasn't pretty)
I suppose it could be an option, but not my first choice.
Really I choose nowadays to get clowns that seem quick to take a host.
But if you're stuck on these guys I'd try pics before anything else.

 

[myxsptlk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15257079#post15257079 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bernie21
Did you use actual photo quality pictures or ones printed from aregular printer? Also how big was the picture?

I just googled "black clown in RBTA" and a whole bunch of pics came up, doesn't have to be photo quality pictures. I just printed them out on an inkjet printer on regular A4 paper and stuck a whole bunch of them on the tank.

I move the picture back and forth a bit sometimes to make it look like the clown is real (silly I know). Funny thing is the clowns ignore the photos until I start doing that and the little one starts quiverring to submit to the photo. The big one swims up then tries to swim around the photo and wonders why she can't ever see it when she goes to the side haha.

The wonderful thing about these clowns is they will host almost anything and there are any number of clown and host combination photos you can find on the internet. If you don't have an anemone for example and want to get them to host your xenia, bubble coral, torch, frogspawn, pretty much anything, you can be sure there's a picture of that somewhere on the internet. I had a friend who wanted his clowns to host in some hairy mushrooms, and wouldn't you know it "clarkii in hairy mushroom" comes up with plenty of photos. Some are better than others but anything to help them get a clue.

 

[hogben]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15245214#post15245214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kikireef
Are you serious with the pictures on the glass??? That seems like a joke but if it works I will try it. I would love to see them host. I will also try the flashlight thing tonight. I'll keep you posted...

I think you could tape or place anything near the tank that makes them look for safety or shelter, and nature takes over.

A blank piece of paper would probably do the same thing.

But it's more fun with pictures of sharks. :rollface:

 

[stevetcg]

The good thing about the picture trick, even if it doesnt work, it cost almost nothing to try. I havent been able to get my Occs or Toms to host anything, but I bought a Cin to protect my nem that was getting beat up and he hosted it right away. Right now his is hosting a BTA in my Occ's tank. In a few days I am going to pull him into another tank to see if the Occs take over.