Clownfish taking food out of anemone

[Squidmotron]

I literally have the issue of clownfish taking food (krill) out of the tentacles of the anemone that I place it in.

 

[ca1ore]

Happens all the time in my tank, I wouldn't worry about it. I don't target feed my anemone at all, and it has still managed to double in size in less than six months.

 

[ska d]

And if you were to watch your clown/nem pair 24/7 you will most likely witness the clown actually feeding the nem. They are pretty amazing and id wager that a hosted clown knows what's good and what's not for its little friend better than we do.

 

[Squidmotron]

Got it. Thanks.

 

[MacWilliams]

If you're really wanting to feed your nem krill then try to feed the tank in the opposite corner and when they all go for the food put the krill in the nem. Thats what i do. The krill gets pulled in before the clown even gets back to try to remove it.

 

[peasofme]

my white spot anemone shrimp does the same thing to my anemone. but the anemone has looked much better since getting the shrimp. i guess they know how to care for the anemone.

 

[D-Nak]

And if you were to watch your clown/nem pair 24/7 you will most likely witness the clown actually feeding the nem. They are pretty amazing and id wager that a hosted clown knows what's good and what's not for its little friend better than we do.

This is actually more myth than legend. It's never been proven scientifically, and moreover it does not occur in the wild (they eat their food where it is found, which is typically in the water column). Many agree that what we're witnessing is merely a clown trying to take food back to its shelter, it just so happens that its shelter also eats what the clownfish eats. Fautin/Allen describe it as "the fish, unable to devour the piece immediately, takes it home to work on it in the relative security of its own territory, as is typical of predators that obtain food in large amounts. But the territory in this case consumes the food!"

I've seen clownfish "love" their anemone host to death. I had a pair try to ram their heads into the mouth of my gigantea. Though they do appear to take care of their host, there are times when I don't think they know what's best.

My suggestion is to feed the clowns first -- smaller particles so they don't feel inclined to take it back to the anemone. When they're occupied, place the krill in nem's mouth. You can also feed it small pieces (pencil eraser size) of cut shrimp or salmon soaked in Selcon. My clowns seem to ignore these types of food since it appears that they know they can't eat it.

 

[peasofme]

do shrimp and goby pairs share their food with eachother?

 

[matty0206]

This is actually more myth than legend. It's never been proven scientifically, and moreover it does not occur in the wild (they eat their food where it is found, which is typically in the water column). Many agree that what we're witnessing is merely a clown trying to take food back to its shelter, it just so happens that its shelter also eats what the clownfish eats. Fautin/Allen describe it as "the fish, unable to devour the piece immediately, takes it home to work on it in the relative security of its own territory, as is typical of predators that obtain food in large amounts. But the territory in this case consumes the food!"

I've seen clownfish "love" their anemone host to death. I had a pair try to ram their heads into the mouth of my gigantea. Though they do appear to take care of their host, there are times when I don't think they know what's best.

My suggestion is to feed the clowns first -- smaller particles so they don't feel inclined to take it back to the anemone. When they're occupied, place the krill in nem's mouth. You can also feed it small pieces (pencil eraser size) of cut shrimp or salmon soaked in Selcon. My clowns seem to ignore these types of food since it appears that they know they can't eat it.

If this is the case, why do my clowns spit chunks of food onto their anemone? I am honestly asking because I was always under the impression they are feeding the nem. Mine will consume food until they are full and continue to grab pieces for the nems, are they trying to store food in the anemone like a squirrel but the anemone eats it instead?