How helpful is a clown to a haddonni?

Randy Holmes-Farley

Randy Holmes-Farley

Reef Chemist
Premium Member
I'm expecting to pick up a haddoni tomorrow.

My question is, how desirable is it for the health and welfare of a new haddonii to have some clownfish in it? And if it is desirable, how rapidly should I try to get it to happen?

I have two pairs of clowns in the tank (a 120) already, and I am hoping that the ocellaris pair that is presently using a soft coral as a "host" (a green tree coral), will move into it. But if they do not do so on their own, would it be worth "encouraging" them by removing the green tree coral (or is that too cruel to the clowns?).

Any comments are appreciated.
 
randy,
the occ's may well go into the haddoni, I have tw0 spawning percs in mine.
I believe removing the coral would help, the fish may get a little stressed but will get over it.

one point is that you do run a slight risk of the haddoni eating the clowns as they are not naturally found with haddons but I reckon thats slim.

If its healthy, a green or a blue it should be good to go with the fish, reds may be a little more touchy.

heres mine
113133diving-ballast-071.jpg
 
If its healthy, a green or a blue it should be good to go with the fish, reds may be a little more touchy.

It is red. Touchy in what sense, that the clowns may not want to go into it?
 
The rumor is that the red ones are simply more sensitive. I personally don't buy it.
I would try to keep clowns out of it until it has had time to settle in and get comfy.
 
Im not sure if i beleave that red are more touchy my red found a spot in the tank and has not moved at all in 7 mths and my blue will pull up its foot if alk aor ph fluxuate to much and i have had it for 14 mths. my red also grows 10 x faster then my blue dont know wht but....
 
I personally would let them find it on their own -- for both the clowns health and the Haddoni's. Think it is too risky to "force" (( not implying that is what you were thinking of doing, but others have )) the clowns into it -- Haddonis are just way too sticky, and too strong of a sting to risk it.

Also, IMO, the first week of a new Haddoni being in a tank is very critical --- I have seen too many not be able to settle in, and have gaping months. Wouldn't want the clowns to make it worse by irritating the mouth even more by swimming in it.

One of my Haddonis ( a green one ) has yet to host clowns, my skunks prefer the blue one. Both of the anemones act and look the same.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13424416#post13424416 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
OK, sounds good.

Thanks everyone! :)
Click to expand...

We'll want pics of course Randy. :)
 
Randy, I just stopped by that store again and the anemone looks better than ever. There is a four line damsel hosted in it right now (as well as an anemone crab) and the damsel looks striking in it. Damsles get so nasty that I would almost never think of having them in a tank, but this combo with the red anemone and the black and white stripes would make me think twice. The crab was hanging out closer to the mouth than I would feel comfortable with. I don't know if it poses a risk or not.

I would not add any clowns until the mouth is very tight . It was only open a tiny bit today, but it is likely to be open for a little while when it is getting used to the move. Some clowns are very prone to diving into the mouth of a stressed haddoni and I wouldn't risk it.

The tentacles looked perfect today, completely full coverage of super bright red.

You will need to post pictures :)
 
That's great to hear! :) Jay put it on hold for me, but I've yet to see it personally. I hope to pick it up tomorrow afternoon.

I have 2 pairs of clowns already in my display tank. The pink skunks seem very happy in the H. Crispa (which they went right to when I first added it a few years ago), but the ocellaris clowns are living in a green tree coral, so I don't know what they might do. I certainly won't add more clowns, however. :)

How hard might the crab be to remove? Trivial? Could I, and if so, should I?

I'll definitely post pics as things progress. :)
 
The crab will be trivial to remove unless maybe it runs into the mouth when threatened (I have no idea if it would even do that). Since the clowns are already in there you might want to come up with a contingency plan if they decide to be too rough. This anemone is going to be way to big to put a strawberry basket over :)

Sigh, now I want to set up a species tank with just a red carpet and a bunch of four lines.
 
Was the foot attached to anything? My concern is how I'd detach it if it is attached. I've never tried to do that with a carpet. I figure to arrive with gloves and a bucket for transport, but removing it from the tank it is in is my concern of the moment.

Since the clowns are already in there you might want to come up with a contingency plan if they decide to be too rough. This anemone is going to be way to big to put a strawberry basket over

Will do. I had to remove the skunks from my Crispa for a while when I first got it as they were pretty rough.

Sigh, now I want to set up a species tank with just a red carpet and a bunch of four lines.

:lol:

Sure, what's another tank. :D
 
Just babbling but:

No advantage to keeping the crab, only potential downsides at this stage. It should be easily removed.

Dont be surprised if the skunks claim both anemones. I would prefer to have the skunks in the haddoni actually, have had issues with ocellaris in haddons.

I tend to try to let Haddon's settle prior to adding clowns, some folks believe they are immediately helpful. Not sure there is enough evidence to be significant either way.

Haddoni will easily separate from the glass, under the sand, etc. If it has gotten its foot under a rock and into a crevice, it might be a bit more problematic. Just find the easiest edge and work toward the center. Once you life 10% the central portion releases quickly and you can slowly work the remaining edges free. 5gal bucket should be fine.

Best of luck in the new adventure :)
 
Randy, if you are going to be the one removing the Haddoni, and you are wearing gloves ( which I strongly suggest ), keep in mind that you will have less "feel" with the gloves on.

When I was removing my blue one from one tank to another, I didn't feel my finger going through it. Lucky for me it made a full recovery. Just make sure to take your time with it.
 
have had issues with ocellaris in haddons.

As in it eating them, or something else?

Dont be surprised if the skunks claim both anemones.

Oh, I hadn't thought that would happen, but I guess I don't care too much. Curiously, the two pairs live in very close proximity and never seem to fight. They are often only 6 inches apart, despite it being a 4 foot tank, but the pink skunks seem way more interested in challenging their reflections than the ocellaris pair. :)

Randy, if you are going to be the one removing the Haddoni, and you are wearing gloves ( which I strongly suggest ), keep in mind that you will have less "feel" with the gloves on.

I expect I will be (or can be) since the owner will not be there, and I'd be wary of relying on an unknown store guy. I read another thread where you related your story of the foot, so that's one of the things that had me worried. I do have some big gloves so I'll try them and be careful. :)
 
Good, deal, I knew that you would be careful, but just wanted to stress it.

And for me, walking away for the tank for a second or two helps calm me down when I am getting ticked. ;) (( though, I have been told I have a short temper. ))
 
There is only a thin sandbed in the tank, no rock and it looks like it has attached to the bottom glass.
 
I have found that laytex gloves work the best that way you have the most feeling you can having a pair of gloves on. That is what I did when I got mine but now I dont use them he will stick to me but lets go in a min or less. Also sometimes I rub the underside of the disk and I dont know if it tickles it or what but it seems to let go a lot easyer. Just take your time with it and dont get in a rush trying to get it off the glass.
 
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