NaClCrocodile
New member
I've heard that tank raised clownfish will not host anemones. Is that true? If so, how come I see designer clowns in anemones? Is it just more of a crap shoot with tank raised?
Fact or Myth?
- Thread starter NaClCrocodile
- Start date
MATT CLOWNS
New member
Myth
WaffleWalffle22
Zoa Extreemist
Whoever told you that is not very knowledgeable. Any clown will host any anemone (that won't kill it) if it wants to over time.
NaClCrocodile
New member
Good. I don't like to get wild stuff. Too many variables. Glad I can keep looking at designer tank raised clowns then.
Fretfreak13
I am not a boy!
I heard it's harder to get them to though. I'm experiencing this right now. My percs wont go near their GBTA. I've read around and found that there are a few ways to try to coax them in, and though some seem a bit silly I'm trying them all eventually lol.
-Tape examples pictures of clowns in nems to the sides of the tank. They might learn from seeing it that it's not something to be afraid of.
-Take both clowns and nem out of the tank and put them in a breeders box thing (the hang on kind). Being in such close proximity will make them notice it.
-Chase the little suckers in with the net! Once something's coming after them, and they can hide in it, most likely they wont leave it again. lol
Still looking for more ways rather than just waiting.
-Tape examples pictures of clowns in nems to the sides of the tank. They might learn from seeing it that it's not something to be afraid of.
-Take both clowns and nem out of the tank and put them in a breeders box thing (the hang on kind). Being in such close proximity will make them notice it.
-Chase the little suckers in with the net! Once something's coming after them, and they can hide in it, most likely they wont leave it again. lol
Still looking for more ways rather than just waiting.
tahoe61
New member
Clowns
Clowns
If your clown has never been in anemone you do not want to chase them into the the anemone. Clownfish develop a mucos coating that the anemone does not recognize as food and therefore does not sting the clownfish. I have seen carpet anemones eat clownfish that did not have the time to build this protective mucos coating.
Clowns
If your clown has never been in anemone you do not want to chase them into the the anemone. Clownfish develop a mucos coating that the anemone does not recognize as food and therefore does not sting the clownfish. I have seen carpet anemones eat clownfish that did not have the time to build this protective mucos coating.
I second that. Not knowing this I added a BTA to a tank with a fully mature female Clarki that I had for 3 years. After a couple months I did the reasearch I should have done before and realized she would probably never move in. My solution was I went to the fish store and bought the smallest Clarki I could find that was hosting in an anemone a the store. On the fourth try of releasing the little guy right next to the anemone and then catching him before she killed him, he finally swam into the anemone's protection. It was amazing what happened over the next couple days. She wanted to kick his butt, but would not go into the anemone. When she got to close and touched the anemone she jumped back just like any other fish. Obviously experiencing a little tingle. She also never swam far away and the little guy keeped swiming out and nipping her, then running back to the anemone. They played this dance for about a week then suddenly they paired up and everything was good between them. At night the little guy would sleep in the anemone and the female slept next to him in the rocks. This went on for over a year then one day the female was dead in the tank, I still have no clue what happened. I was always hopefull she would aquire the slime or whatever so she could host in the anemone, I guess not.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
SNAKEMANVET
PREMIUM MEMBER
My tank raised oc's went right in my anemone.Just takes some longer,and some never do.
NaClCrocodile
New member
Okay, so just let them in and hope for the best? Let nature take it's course if it will and if not, oh well? Is it easier to do when the clowns are younger?
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
if you sincerely believe this I'm sure we can drudge up some other myths.
Why not just read the Anemone FAQ and find out which species are natural symbionts?
davocean
Active member
I actually would not dismiss this as total myth.
I had only one LED for moons for a bit, and moved it a few times, and my picassos did actually follow the light and camp out in whatever was under it.
I could see this as maybe a helpful trick, maybe.
But I agree natural host is best.
falcondob
New member
I have tried opening the Anemone FAQ and get an error. Maybe it is just my computer?
velvetelvis
Active member
The one "trick" I've heard about that seems to consistently work (although obviously this is apocryphal) is to tape a picture of clownfish in an anemone to the outside of the glass. I've never tried it myself, but a lot of people online seem to swear by this method.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
this makes me wonder how anemonefish in the ocean figure it out- there's no tape down there!
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