Help getting clowns hosted by anemone? tried everything : (

[duganderson]

I've had two Sustainable Aquartics Oc. clowns in a 28 g. nano with two gorgeous RBTA (in tank prior to clowns) for about 1 year. I would really like RBTA to host clowns but they show almost no interest. Occasionally they will brush anemone but that's been going on for over a month without more interest.

I've tried the following things....
-photos of anemones and clowns on glass for multiple weeks (yeah, I didn't think that would work either but people swear by it)
-feeding anemone to encourage clowns to go in.
-Clown in a strainer in the tank with the anemone for 4 days

Is there anything else to try other than replacing one or both of the clowns?

If I did sell or give away the clowns, would you replace one or both. I think they're paired because they've been together for a year. If only replace one, would you replace the bigger or smaller one with a bigger or smaller new one. I know the bigger one is usually female.

Yes, I know the RBTA is not a natural host but I'd love for this to happen. It's my top priority in my tank. I lived in SE Asia for a few years and fell in love with clowns in anemones snorkeling.

Thanks,

 

[Tmoriarty]

You nailed it, because it is not a natural host you may never see them associate. My clowns wouldn't touch BTA's but when I added in a Magnifica they went straight in and havent left it since.

If they are occasionally brushing it now (and have only been doing so for a month) you may be on the right course and they may be accepting the anemone a little more.

Something that most wont reccomend but can work well is putting the clownfish in a small space with the anemone. BTA's are pretty weak with their sting so I wouldn't try this with another anemone, but you can try placing the nem and the clowns in a small container (5g bucket half full) giving them enough room to not be forced into the nem, but giving them only one option for a place to hide (I like buckets cause of the round sides, square/rectangle areas give them a place to associate {the corner}). I have done it with a different clown and had good results.

If you want to replace the clowns (which I wouldn't if you like them) replace whichever you prefer, if you replace the larger than make sure you get either a juvenile or another confirmed female (if a juvenile your male will change to a female). If you replace the smaller just make sure it is not a female (get a young juvenile to help ensure that).

If you go the smaller clownfish route just remember sometimes females don't take well to new males, but that is something you can deal with at that point. If they were my clowns I would keep trying or I would give them the proper host (a magnifica or a gigantea) Understandably that is hard to do in a small tank

 

[downbeach]

I've had some success by adding a wild caught clown to my tank. It went right to the RBTA, and the following day the other were there too. Unfortunately the wild caught was the smallest of the group and was quickly evicted by the larger tank raised fish. But it got them hosting.

 

[Tmoriarty]

Both of the clowns I kept with BTA's were wild caught (one false perc one true perc), neither would take to BTA's.

It is still possibly worth a shot, just keep in mind the risks with adding a third clown to your current pair.

 

[psusocr]

Patience...it might take months and months but more times than not it works...it took my clowns over 6 months.. but one day they went in!

 

[C Dog]

I have 2 ways that has made every one of my clowns go in anmones.

#1. buy one of those hard plastic breeder contained that hangs on the glasss on the in side of the tank. Put the anemone in there with the clowns. Since there isnt much room the clowns have to go into the anemone. leave them there for a day or two. Put the anemone in your tank then release the clowns right by it. I have done this on 3 pairs and work with in hours.

#2. chase the clowns into the anemone with a net or hands. Do this a handful of times.

 

[psusocr]

I have 2 ways that has made every one of my clowns go in anmones.

#1. buy one of those hard plastic breeder contained that hangs on the glasss on the in side of the tank. Put the anemone in there with the clowns. Since there isnt much room the clowns have to go into the anemone. leave them there for a day or two. Put the anemone in your tank then release the clowns right by it. I have done this on 3 pairs and work with in hours.

#2. chase the clowns into the anemone with a net or hands. Do this a handful of times.

That can be pretty cruel if they are young clowns, IMO you should never force clowns into their nem....
Clowns have to build up their mucus for the anemone sting.. This is an AWFUL way and a good way to injure or kill your clowns!!! not very resposible .. see the article below

Anemone clownfish have special skin protection that allows them to nestle into the dangerous anemones. When young clownfish settles out of the plankton they search for an anemone to live in. The fish slowly begins to adapt to living in a stinging anemone by making quick contacts with its tentacles. Most sea creatures have a protective mucus or slime coating. The clownfish begins mixing the slime of the anemone, which has stinging cells, with its own skin slime. Every day the fish stays longer and longer among the anemone’s tentacles until all of its slime is completely mixed with the anemone’s. This protects the anemone clownfish from getting stung.

 

[C Dog]

k dude

 

[duganderson]

Both RTBA are on the same rock and I'm reluctant to try to get them off. This was really challenging the one time and needed to do it.

What about putting the rock (it's about 9" x 5" x 3") with the anemones on it in a large tupperware (10 gallon or so) storage container with water from the tank, a heater, a clip on CF light, and a powerhead for a few days with the clowns? Do you think that is likely to work?

I'm worried the clowns would just host the powerhead instead since they currently host my return nozzles in my cube. Could I get by with a bubbler instead of a powerhead.....if so.....how long could I do this for without damaging fish, RBTA or the good bacteria in the rock?

What is the max number of days you would do this for? The container does not let light in but I would leave the top open.

I'm open to other creative ideas.

Thanks, Doug

 

[Toddrtrex]

Please do not put the clowns and anemone in a confined space in an attempt to force them to be hosted by the anemone (( the anemone does the hosting, not the clowns )).
It is a good way to get your clowns eaten.

It might work once in a while, but is it worth the risk of injuring or killing your clowns?

Been keeping clowns/anemones for 15+ years, once thing has always worked for me -- time. Of course having a natural combo helps a lot, but even without one (( my current A. percula and E. quadricolor )), time works.

 

[psusocr]

+1 just be patient.. It will probably happen

 

[Spyderturbo007]

You nailed it, because it is not a natural host you may never see them associate. My clowns wouldn't touch BTA's but when I added in a Magnifica they went straight in and havent left it since.

Is the Magnifica the one that's known for eating your other fish? I want to get an anemone for my clowns, but I'm not sure which one. I was going to go with the RBT because they are easier, but I would be inclined to try something else if it increased my chances of having them associate.

 

[psusocr]

Is the Magnifica the one that's known for eating your other fish? I want to get an anemone for my clowns, but I'm not sure which one. I was going to go with the RBT because they are easier, but I would be inclined to try something else if it increased my chances of having them associate.

not the mag, the gigantea is more prone to eating clowns even the haddoni is a little more dangerous... both are also harder to keep and should be put into an established tank..

 

[ken6217]

You can try a H. Crispa anenome. When I had percs, they went in mine immediately. I found this anemone easy. Certainly easier than a Magnifica.
Ken

 

[duganderson]

I'm trying to be patient about this, which is an especially good virtue for this hobby, but it's been over 1 year.