Hammer Coral Hosting Clownfish

[tnguye02]

I added two clown fish to the tank 4 months ago, since the fish have been making themselves a home there on the coral 24-7, I noticed the coral doesn't open up like is used to. It no longer extend it tenticles like it was, is this a disturbance to coral??

I have have had the hammer coral for over 3 years, it just doesn't seem "happy" like it used to since the clown fish showed up, I am afraid it eventually would die. Any ideas out there?

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

What kind of clown fish do you have?

 

[tnguye02]

Occellareous clown fish, they are friendly, and they don't nip on any of the coral.

 

[Bmgrocks]

yes ur coral is unhappy, many people's clowns host in euphillia (sp) and notice that it is not as full as it once was, some even say it can lead to the death of the coral,

the constant stress placed on the non hosting coral can be detrimental, and i think that finding your clowns an ultimate host would be beneficial to your hammer.

 

[tnguye02]

Thanks for the suggestion, I value my coral more so the clowns will have to go....

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

is this a "wall" hammer coral, by chance?

 

[ClownNut]

my pair hosting some of the frogspawns, i didnt notice any different. did you increase/redirect the flow in your tank?

 

[tnguye02]

There have been no changes to any water parameters about the tank. I am not sure what a "wall" hammer coral, it is a pretty common brownish color coral.

Prior to the clowns, this coral extend it self so big, under the light; in my mind this is the joy of having a reef tank.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10636564#post10636564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tnguye02
There have been no changes to any water parameters about the tank. I am not sure what a "wall" hammer coral, it is a pretty common brownish color coral.

a "wall" hammer coral has a skeleton that resembles a wall.
"Branching" hammer coral has seperate heads of polyps.
Wall hammer coral is much more sensitive than the branching type.
I've had Clownfish host in all types of things. Certain corals can tolerate their presence and some cannot. It sounds like you need to remove your Clownfish or perhaps find them a more attractive host.

 

[hayzer]

i know wall hammers can be a bit more sensitive in terms of hardiness.

 

[skewter76]

I've had an ocellaris clown hosting a hammer coral for a few weeks now. My observations so far have been that the coral doesn't mind the presence of the clown, but hates it when the clown feeds it. The clown has placed a few pieces of chopped fish that were too big for it to eat onto the tips of the tentacles at which time they quickly shrink back.

I've been more diligent in making sure the clown doesn't get any food that it can't swallow and the coral is looking great.

YMMV.