Clowns for GBTA
- Thread starter mr9iron
- Start date
Moonstream
New member
naturally hosted? that leaves you with clarkii's, maroons, tomatos and possibly cinnamons (not sure if they are naturally hosted by BTA's).
personally, I would try a pair of percs, I've found that they are less aggressive than occys, and a lot of people have luck with them hosting BTA's, even though they are naturally hosted my sabaes and carpets. these arent going in the same tank as the skunks, right? or the lion and trigger you posted about earlier?
personally, I would try a pair of percs, I've found that they are less aggressive than occys, and a lot of people have luck with them hosting BTA's, even though they are naturally hosted my sabaes and carpets. these arent going in the same tank as the skunks, right? or the lion and trigger you posted about earlier?
I really like perc, but I want something that is hosted naturally by the GBTA. I tried the skunks with the GBTA, as this has worked for others, with no success. I really love the skunks, they are a beautiful fish, but mine are tank raised and the female spends most all of her time in the upper right corner of my tank near the return. I've had the opportunity to observe other skunks in different tanks that seemed very social and moved around quite a bit and even hosted a GBTA but this was not the case for me. I took a gamble and it didn't work out.
No, the new clowns won't be going in the same tank as the skunks. I don't want to cause a war and watch them fight to the death. I have a small tank and have enough sense not to do this. I asked about the lion and trigger fish because this is a large 265 gallon reef tank with lots of live rock and other corals. I will probably just take my skunks back to the pet store and get a partial credit toward the purchase of my next pair of clowns.
Were yours tank raised or wild? Also, how long before they accepted the nem as a host?
jasonrp104
New member
I'd say go with maroons. They're the pitbull of clownfish and you get instant street cred. People will fear and respect someone who can handle an adult female maroon.
Plus, they really aren't that bad once the other fish learn to stay away.
Plus, they really aren't that bad once the other fish learn to stay away.
mnchartier
Premium Member
My Tomato Clowns were in my GBTAs the moment they were introduced and are always in it.
Perched Urchin
New member
I have a mated pair of ocellaris that rarely leave my largest GBTA. They just spawned again a few days ago, but of course the fry became food for the tank and now they are splitting time between their "home" anemone and a smaller clone in the tank where they never hosted before. I am wondering if they think the first nem let them down when the fry got eaten, so they are thinking of moving :-(
Anyway, this is a vote for occelaris if you want clowns that will host a GBTA.
Anyway, this is a vote for occelaris if you want clowns that will host a GBTA.
Mike31154
New member
+1
It's generally a gamble regarding aggression with these guys, but they're about the most reliable match up for a BTA that you can get. Also depends on what other species are housed with Maroons. I have a spawning pair and maybe got real lucky, but my large female actually tolerates my hand in the tank provided I keep a respectful distance from the pair's BTA.
Tank mates are Yellow Tang, Singapore Angelfish (both similar in size to the female Maroon) and a couple of Mandarin Dragonets. The Tang and Angel are both able to swim in very close proximity to the BTA without the female Maroon batting an eye. I've observed her giving my larger Mandarin a little nudge if he gets too curious about the clutch of eggs, but that's it, a little nudge just as a reminder.
Two other fish that were in the tank but have since expired needed to keep a bit more distance than the aforementioned. Blue Devil Damsel was definitely kept at bay and he knew to keep his distance. Lawnmower Blenny also had to swim a little faster when cruising from one pile of rocks to the other past the BTA. I also had a group of Blue/Green Chromis for a while and they had to be careful, although after two of them died, the last one staked a claim not far from the Maroon's territory and lived there for quite some time. I do suspect that the female finally had enough and offed him, she's a magnificent beast. Found the Chromis carcass being picked apart by my CUC one morning.
Edit: Just noticed your signature and tank size is 28 gal Nano. Maroons probably not the best choice for that, unless they're the only fish you plan to have in there.
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Mavrk
New member
This is correct, BTA's do not naturally host ocellaris. I am pretty sure cinnamons are on the list. I remember a picture of one hosting in a BTA in the wild.
Edit: yeah, A. melanopus (cinnamon) is on the list
Entacmaea quadricolor (bulb-tentacle, BTA, or corn)
A. akindynos
A. allardi
A. bicinctus
A. chrysopterus
A. clarkii
A. ephippium
A. frenatus
A. latezonatus
A. mccullochi
A. melanopus
A. omanensis
A. rubrocinctus
A. tricinctus
P. biaculeatus
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