Is this normal?

[J.J]

Im new to this site, but i am needing some opinions.. I have 2 clowns in my tank and today my little male clown is picking at my bubble coral constantely, so much so that my bubble isnt able to deflate. the male clown just hovers over the coral and pecks it.Is this normal? should i remove the coral?

 

[this is me]

It probably trying to be hosted in the bubble coral. How big is the tank? Maybe move the coral to a different location or get something to host the clown.

 

[J.J]

you think so? the clown refused to go in the anemone that i have for it, just staying near it while the female was inside. so i wasnt sure if this was hosting behavior.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Yep, it is. They will suck on, and nibble at the object they are wanting to use as a host in order to become accustomed to the nemocycts which are found in anemones. Normal behavior. I'd keep a close eye on it as the clown may irritate the bubble and stress it which may lead to a brown jelly infection. You could always place a container of some sort over the bubble to discourage his behavior.

 

[J.J]

my bubble coral went completely deflated so i moved the clowns to another tank. there is an anemone in that tank so hopfully i did the right thing and avoided brown jelly infection. thanks for the advice.