Do you need anemonies for clownfish?

[Azure2010]

I am planning on setting up a 55 gallon FOWLR and would like to include a couple clownfish. Do you have to have anemonies in the tank if you have clownfish? I know they take up residence in anemonies in the wild but not sure if it is must or just something they do in the wild for protection. Any thoughts, insights, personal experiences with clownfish will be very much appreciated.:twitch:

 

[vitek]

No they don't need one

 

[davocean]

[welcome]

No, it's actually less challenging to keep clowns in an alternative host, such as frogspawn or similar.
They do tend to want to camp out somewhere though, or at least hang in the same location after they've explored tank.

 

[kduen]

No they don't need one they will naturally find something to host them regardless and even if you have a nem in there there is no gurantee that they will chose the nem.

 

[chasedasea]

No they do not need an anenome and even if you get one there is no gaurantee they will even host in it. I have had a maroon clown for eight years and he has thrived without an anenome. He has hosted many occupants in my tank and is currently hosting some of my polyps.