Ocellaris and RBTA rejection?

[Genghis]

Is it possible for an RBTA to reject a clown? My two ORA clowns don't have a home yet, but have noticed the RBTA. They only show interest when it shrinks before and after the MH's turn on/off and it's just actinic lighting. Everytime they look like they're putting their face in it, the anemones shrivels up. The clowns hover around it, stare, graze it with their face and then leave. They don't appear to be getting stung but the anemone doesn't seem to like them.

I have been trying to get them to host by squirting garlic soaked food in and around the anemone. Any better ways to get them in?

 

[Eklikewhoa]

Sometimes it takes time....

I have multiple BTA's in my tank and the clowns host them all but there are some that they don't go near.

 

[Genghis]

I hope time is all it needs. I've never seen an anemone that will shrivel up when a clown touches it. The male is definitely curious but he still won't go completely in it. Anyone else have anemones that seem like they don't want a host?

 

[jerome736]

How long have they been in the tank with the BTA? As other have mentioned it just takes time. Even then there is no guarantee they will host the BTA...I've had my clowns host a powerhead even with decent frogspawn etc., in the tank.

 

[seti2020]

Sometimes just takes time, my clown took about 2 months to host a LTA. My friend has a BTA and it took 4 months to host for his clowns. So just be patient. Probably will happen, just my have to wait for a while.

 

[Genghis]

They've been in a 12g tank for about 3 months w/o an anemone and had about 3 weeks exposure before I moved everything into a 34g. I know the anemone is healthy. It sucked up two chromis in no time. I will probably redo my aquascaping. Is there a certain location that I should place the anemone that will suit the clowns and nem?

 

[kimsie]

Sorry - but are you sure it's a BTA? Those usually don't eat Chromis...

 

[kimsie]

Oh - and are you redoing the aquascaping only to help the clowns host? If so - I would just let everything be. You may just delay the process longer by stressing everything out.

 

[Genghis]

Yeah...It's a RBTA. In the morning it "bubbles" up a little bit then gets a little thinner once the halides turn on. I picked up two chromis for $1/ea over the weekend and both died. Maybe they were too cheap. Figured I'd give the nem something to chew on. It sucked them in within 3-4 seconds.

As for the rock setup. I'm adding a couple of larger pieces to the tank, so I figured if I was going to have to redo it I might as well keep them in mind. I have about 25-30 in there right now and looking to add about 15lbs or more.