Maroon taking over two anemones... help

[beadlocked450r]

Ok we have one maroon that is significantly larger then our two false perculas. We had just recently added a long tentacle to the tank for the falses to house since the maroon took over the BTA. Now the maroon is going back and forth between anemones and the falses are still in limbo. Is there anything I can do to get the maroon to stick to one? Will it eventually stick with one? Or will he always go between the two??

 

[Tat2demon]

I would worry more about the life expectancy of your percs with that maroon around. I don't know how long they've all been together but I would guess its only a matter of time before she decides she wants to live alone.

 

[shabreeson]

^^^ long term, multiple clown species in a tank doesn't work well. even if none of the clowns are killed (could happen at random) they will be stressed and in constant competition with eachother.

even the maroon wouldn't be 100%

 

[beadlocked450r]

I have a 180 gallon tank and they are not on top of each other and they have been together for a while now and haven't seen the maroon attack them. Every once in a blue moon the maroon will chase them away from the BTA he is near but we got the LTA for the percs and the maroon goes back and forth.. so that's what I am asking if they are both his or will he eventually give one up?

 

[shabreeson]

a large tank does mean multiple species has a better chance of working. but doesn't guarantee you won't have issues. And you are having issues. The clowns are interacting to the point where the pair doesn't have a nem. Naturally this causes stress.

getting back to the question, ur guess is as good as anybody else’s. ur asking what will the fish decide to do.

i personally don't see a reason why he would stop defending both.

 

[bues0022]

I know I'm being picky, but you don't have "falses" you have Ocellaris.

 

[Angel*Fish]

Here's what I would expect to happen in this situation. Your ocellaris clowns will next be pushed off their LTA during the day but possibly allowed to sleep there at night. Most of the time they'll be up high in a far corner of the tank. Eventually even cowering in a tank corner they will be attacked until they are either killed directly or die of disease.

Just because I expect that doesn't mean it will happen. Fish are individuals and it's impossible to predict 100%. Maroons are the worst possible choice for trying this. Well except maybe if you had two sets of maroons -lol.

As for what you can try -You might try arranging the rock such that the two anemones are on clearly separate bommies. Make the LTA bommie smallest (half the size of the other). Make sure the anemones are positioned as far as possible from each other - near the glass on opposite ends. And make sure there are rocks to blocking the view of each. That can even be as close to the front glass just so you can get a cleaning magnate through. Since the LTA will be low, I'd get the BTA up as high as possible.

Not saying that will work. The other thing I'd do after arranging the separate bommies is make a piece of eggcrate that will fit perfectly to separate the two sides of the tank. Having that ready to go could be very handy if the aggression gets severe and save the life of your fish. It will also give you time to catch one of the pairs at your leisure and/or decide what to do.

 

[bues0022]

While I see the logic in attempting two anemones, I've read about people who have had difficulty with mixing some species of anemones, and I *think* the LTA/BTA combo might have been one of them. I'd say do some looking around to verify/deny before attempting.

 

[davocean]

Most likely your maroon will continue to accept host from both nems no matter what you do.
Not sure how long "for a while" is but eventually your maroon will probably make small change out of those occs one day.
My maroon always went back and forth to both nems in my 180g, and they were at opposite ends of tank.
My comment is not just based off my own experience, but just about everything I've read here over the years.
And I once had a maroon w/ occs too, and mine also worked out, "for a while"

 

[5Starreef]

+1 perculas are going to die