Moving clowns from torch to BTA?

[Miasma_F]

Any recommendations on how to convince my occellaris pair to move out of my torch and into my BTA? I have two large torch colonies and one huge hammer colony. I've tried moving the clowns around, but they always settle in the hammer or torch, whichever is on "their" side of the tank (opposite the BTA of course). I've had the BTA for about 6 months now and the torch corals for a year and a half.

I'm considering swapping out my clowns for a new pair, but I'd rather not go that route. I don't have a QT and would rather avoid the risk since I'm fully stocked and everything is healthy.

If I take out the euphyllia, would that entice the clowns to move? Could the torches/hammer survive under sump lighting for a couple of weeks?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[a-T-m]

Taking the corals out might encourage them. Have you tried spot feeding near the anemone? Since they're hosting the torch, they probably haven't ventured over to the side of the tank with the BTA, so try moving the BTA nearer towards them

 

[Miasma_F]

I've spot fed by the BTA to no avail. I even just fed pellets (I prefer a variety of frozen) for a while to make sure they dropped in front of it. I'll try this again with all pumps off and see how it goes. I can't do it too long though because my anthias won't eat pellets. If this doesn't work, I'll try taking the corals out.

While a good idea, moving the BTA isn't something I'm willing to do at the moment. I have two "rock islands" in my tank. The BTA is on the left island and every coral on that island is easily moved in case the BTA decides to wander. All of my show piece corals are on the right island and I'm not willing to risk them to the BTA. I was blessed to have my rose stay within 2 inches of where I put it. Definitely don't want to press my luck on that one.

As a side question, would my mandarin be OK with a maroon pair? If I swap out the clowns I'll most likely get maroons as replacements.

 

[Miasma_F]

I kind of did all of the above today. I listed my pair for sale since my wife always wanted a maroon anyhow. I didn't get any immediate takers so I took away their hammer and torches away this afternoon. They swam more freely about the tank, but always went back to the area where the torch used to be.

Next, I turned off all of the pumps and dropped pellets right on top of the anemone to entice the clowns to that side of the tank. I then managed to catch the female with my largest net and held her against the BTA for a minute or so until she touched a couple of tentacles.

After releasing her, I proceeded to "chase" the clowns away from the right side of the tank and forced them to stay on the side of the anemone. Unfortunately the BTA was closed up since it was digesting more than its fair share of pellets.

For now, the clowns are staying within an inch or two of the BTA. We'll see how it goes over the next couple of days.

-Matt

 

[1fishkeeper]

I wouldnt ever try and force them in to a anemone. That is just asking for trouble. But it sounds like your on the right path by removing the torch and hammer.

 

[Will Haider]

The maroons are very agressive and i would not recommend them only for dedicated aggresive tanks also what kind of clowns do you currently have.

 

[Miasma_F]

Woke up this morning and saw my clowns snuggling up to the anemone! Maybe I won't replace them after all (even though my wife really wants a maroon).

How long should I leave my torches out of the DT? I'd hate for the clowns to move right back into them if I don't wait long enough.

-Matt