new tomato clowns, worried

Deaner

New member
Hi guys, i bought 2 tomato clowns yesterday. i was very happy to see one of them was hosting my gbta when i woke up this morning. it seems she has some faint black marks on her sides? i dont know if i should be worried about this or not? i know i should of quarantined them, but they were the first fish additions to my tank. i dont know how well you can see it in the pictures. Any feedback would be appreciated.
 

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I dont see the marks on the clown but that anemone is very bleached. How long have you had it?

ive had it for about a month now, been trying to get it looking better by feeding. It seems that this is the happiest it has been since ive had it. It came right out in the open last night to the middle of the tank, before it was hiding all the time. Hopefully it was take a turn for the better, any suggestions?
 
The black markings are most likely from it's new host. When a clown has been without a host for a while (or since birth) the have to build up the slime coat that prevents them from being stung like any other fish. The black marks are usually because it's being stung by the anemone. Nothing to worry about as they fade over time.

I would worry about that anemone however. As mentioned, it's very bleached. I would offer small feedings of krill soaked in selcon every few days or so.
 
What size tank? What kind of lights? How long has the tank been set up? Can you post your parameters? Was it bleached when you got it?
 
What size tank? What kind of lights? How long has the tank been set up? Can you post your parameters? Was it bleached when you got it?


the tank is a 75 gallon corner with 50 gallon sump. it has been up for about 3 months now. i have a 250 w MH with PC actinics. The anemone looks better than it did from when i bought it from my LFS. i have been feeding it frozen shrimp and frozen brine shrimp every few days or so. i may have to get something to soak the food in like was mentioned. Here are my parameters,

Calcium 420ppm
Alkalinity 9dkh
Salinity 1.025
Temperature 78 degrees
pH 8.15
Phosphate 0.005 ppm
Ammonia 0 ppm
nitrate 0
nitrite 0


at the moment my bioload is very light for the tank so the water quality has been kept stable so far. i will admit it fairly new to the marine hobby and im still learning as much as i can.
 
Well if it looks better than it did, it's probably recovering. I would skip feeding the brine shrimp, they use more effort for the anemone to eat than nutrition they gain. Stick with the table shrimp or as I mentioned, krill.

Your params look good, but are they stable? Generally, an anemone is not recommended in tank younger than around 6 months old.

One other thing is watch the clowns are not being to rough with it. The clown looks boarder line too big for the anemone. The more aggressive species of clowns are sometimes known to 'love them to death'. With yours being in a recovery state, it might not tolerate a rough clown too well.
 
some pics of my equipment
 

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Well if it looks better than it did, it's probably recovering. I would skip feeding the brine shrimp, they use more effort for the anemone to eat than nutrition they gain. Stick with the table shrimp or as I mentioned, krill.

One other thing is watch the clowns are not being to rough with it. The clown looks boarder line too big for the anemone. The more aggressive species of clowns are sometimes known to 'love them to death'. With yours being in a recovery state, it might not tolerate a rough clown too well.


yes i thought of this already. it seems to be loving it to death haha, thats for sure. but it actually seems very happy, havent seen it span out its tentacles so much like this before.. i will see how it goes, and will have to pick up some krill. it is probably a good idea to dose the food as well?
 
Remember feeding it small pieces is key. Especially for a recovering anemone. Try to keep your params as stable as possible, your tank is pretty young for a nem. You might want to bring your salinity up to 1.026 slowly.
 
Agree tank is still pretty fresh, and clown is new to host, so sting marks are common.
I've been feeding my nem scallops, as well as mysis during fish feedings.
Sounds like you may be on track.
 
Agree tank is still pretty fresh, and clown is new to host, so sting marks are common.
I've been feeding my nem scallops, as well as mysis during fish feedings.
Sounds like you may be on track.

great, thanks for all the input guys. im sure the anemone will be fine, and hopefully start getting some colour soon! will give an update in a couple weeks
 
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