Is clownfish likely going to host anemone? (Pics)

[Johny123]

I bought a bubble tip anemone 5 days ago, and my ocelous clownfish has moved from his corner of the tank and is hovering over it for about 2 days now. Occasionally he swims under it, picks around the base...but hasn't actually gone in it yet.

He is only interested in it when the lights are on (day light or blue light).

Is this a good sign that he will go in there? how long can this pre-hosting process take?

<a href="https://ibb.co/iUmGLo"><img src="https://thumb.ibb.co/iUmGLo/IMG_5356.jpg" alt="IMG_5356" border="0"></a> <a href="https://ibb.co/ej3wLo"><img src="https://thumb.ibb.co/ej3wLo/IMG_5367.jpg" alt="IMG_5367" border="0"></a>

 

[FunFishin24]

I'm sure it will host, just give it time. At least your clown found it. I had to use all sorts of other tricks just to get mine to realize the anemone was even there. Just be patient. [emoji106]

 

[Uncle99]

He is being smart.
Great sign, be patient.....

 

[FoxFace Fish]

-under breath-
clownfish do not host anemones

 

[Johny123]

-under breath-
clownfish do not host anemones

I see what you did there Mr. Grammar police!

 

[Uncle99]

-under breath-
clownfish do not host anemones

We know what ya meant!
Enjoy, will be fun and interesting to watch.
I bet one morning you wake up and presto!
Sleeping like a baby on a pillow.....

 

[Frost_Hydra]

Mine took a week until the clownfish *cough* started to host my BTA. The day before she did, she was constantly nudging the base of it, so I would think its a good sign.

 

[Johny123]

Today Nemo is putting his head in the anemone. Picking at its tentacles. Brushing up against it. Looks like he is getting ready for the full monte.

 

[MakomekTVN]

My two clownfish did the same for the last 6 months just hanging around the rbta looking at it but never dive in.

 

[ca1ore]

I see what you did there Mr. Grammar police!

Doesn't have anything to do with grammar :lol:.

To the question, BTA is not a natural host for most of the common forms of clowns in the hobby - certainly not for the Occelaris. It's 50:50 IME. Guarantee would require something like a magnifica; which comes with a whole lot of husbandry challenges.

 

[Apercula]

When ever this question comes up, I like to post this picture. There was a long tentacle anemone no more than 6 inches from this feather duster, it took the clown 3 months to find the anemone, and about 30 minutes to relocate once it did.

 

[josephxsxn]

All clowns I have tried with with a RBTA hosted within a month. From my perspective a lot of them are scared of the anemone at first if they don't know what it is. After they realize so they can Lounge about in it is they're usually so addicted that they become boring and they just sit in it all day.

 

[Bent]

It’s very difficult for clownfish to host. The anemones really have a hard time attaching their foot to the back of the fish. Then it’s pretty difficult for the fish to swim depending on the size of the anemone.

 

[AlSimmons]

FWIW the pair of Ocellaris Clownfish I had never did make my RBTA their home. Then again they never really made it to that side of the tank either. (60 gallon)

 

[biecacka]

Mine took 5 years to go into the nem. I had actually given up and was selling 2 of my 8 clownfish to a friend and upon trying to catch them, they jumped in that's how it went down.

Corey

 

[jd371]

Three years into this hobby and my Clowns are still ignoring my RBTA that's right near them. They'd rather be by the overflow or the Toadstool underneath them.

 

[smartwater101]

-under breath-
clownfish do not host anemones

under breath? naw, Scream it!

 

[davocean]

Doesn't have anything to do with grammar :lol:.

To the question, BTA is not a natural host for most of the common forms of clowns in the hobby - certainly not for the Occelaris. It's 50:50 IME. Guarantee would require something like a magnifica; which comes with a whole lot of husbandry challenges.

This is the correct answer here, however if it is hovering that close and curious probably won't take too long, hopefully.

We see all the time that the same clowns that ignore BTA's for a long time, when given a natural host nem match those same clowns recognize their host right away.

BTA's given to non natural match often take much longer to recognize.