Clowns in Open brain. How to get them to move to nem?

[Carriegiesler]

Finally my clownfish have decided they wanted to be hosted by something other than the side of the tank. My open brain coral is hosting my clownfish pair, mostly the female but I have seen the male dive in a few times. This has been going on for about a month now and they don't appear to be hurting the coral at all.

So here is the thing"¦. I have always wanted an anemone since getting into the hobby but was always a little afraid to take the risk with coral load I have and the stories about the pumps. After a lot of reading and asking questions on the nano forum I decided to finally take the plunge after seeing a beautiful BTA in an friends nano setup. Last weekend as an early birthday gift to myself I purchase a small Green BTA. Now the question is how do I get my clowns to move from the open brain to the nem. Yes, I know it not their natural host and there is no guarantee they will take to it. But do you think if I remove the open brain they may take to the nem faster or at least venture to check it out? My husband says that is just mean of me to do and I should let them do their thing.

What are your thoughts?

 

[125mph]

Yes remove the brain and the odds are higher. It could take up to 6 months for the clown to decide!

 

[SkullV]

Yes remove the brain and the odds are higher. It could take up to 6 months for the clown to decide!

Not sure where the up to 6 months came from. It could never happen. Clowns do whatever they want.

 

[Carriegiesler]

Well I was given the suggestion (on my local forum) to move the brain closer to the nem to see if that would possibly persuade them to switch over to the nem. So well see what happens.....

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42991117@N08/5725161772/" title="IMG_0298 by saltwater pics, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/5725161772_c0eed69599_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0298"></a>

 

[jimmy_beaner]

In researching this, one of the things people try is putting up pictures of clowns in an anemone. My tank is currently surrounded by 6 such pictures... I figure I'll give it a week or two and see if they decide to give it a shot or not.

 

[SkullV]

Well I was given the suggestion (on my local forum) to move the brain closer to the nem to see if that would possibly persuade them to switch over to the nem. So well see what happens.....

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42991117@N08/5725161772/" title="IMG_0298 by saltwater pics, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/5725161772_c0eed69599_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="IMG_0298"></a>

Just be careful..if that nem walks into the brain its a goner.

 

[get_armbarred]

I have heard of people scarring there clowns into the desired home with their hand.

 

[get_armbarred]

P.S. Tanks is really coming along! Congrats!

 

[poolkeeper1]

Shine a Flashlight on the Nem at night after lights are out and this will sometimes get them to go into the Nem. It may take a few nights of trying this but I have had success this way several different times with RBTA and Clowns.
Hope it works for you too
Bill

 

[Carriegiesler]

SkullV, your caution is noted. I am hoping the switch will happen sooner than later so I can move the brain back to the front where it is in the picture I posted.

 

[Carriegiesler]

poolkeeper,
My husband has been doing this the last couple of nights. I think he enjoys watching the fish chase the red laser as much as he enjoys running the dog around with the laser.

 

[Carriegiesler]

No luck tonight with the laser. Found a good picture and will tape that up and see. My husband is going to think I have gone off my rocker when he sees this.