OK, But Will You Still Love Me in the Morning?

[elwaine]

Well, this makes a cute couple - but not exactly a match made in heaven.

My female Percula has been stating to "court" a newly introduced long tentacle plate or disk coral. How can I break-up this romance? I'm afraid that the Clown will eventually kill the coral by rubbing off its sensitive soft tissues. I do not want to hide either one in my refugium (which is out of sight). Any suggestions?

 

[arson420]

Put a strawberry basket upside down and over the top of the plate coral. That should keep the clown from going near it. I would day in a few weeks after the clown goes to it's normal hosting site then remove the strawberry basket.

 

[Flighty]

That is very cute. I have had success putting a clown in a basket with the anemone for a few days. Don't make it so close that they have to touch(the clown can get eaten unless it has time and room to acclimate), just so that is the only tentaclly option the clown has.

 

[BS]

have not damaged their plate yet. BTW the plate stays inflated most of the time and looks very healthy

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/9497percsonaplate1.jpg

 

[elwaine]

BS

Thanks for that. It's encouraging. I think I will take the old tried and true approach to reef keeping: wait and watch before acting.

 

[Drewcipher]

We have a perc that has been hosting a torch for 2 years and never bothered it. I think as long as the coral extends its polyps, you are good to go.

 

[elwaine]

Many thanks, Drew!

 

[stykthyn]

I agree if it looks healthy it is. I would let them be unless something happens.

 

[BS]

:rollface:

 

[elwaine]

BS,

A happy trio indeed. Thanks for the picture!

BTW, I was reading about the habits of disk corals. Borneman says they are happier off of the sandy bottom. I see that you have some rubble in addition to sand, and your coral is probably liking that better than a plain sand bottom.

Anyway, after reading what Eric wrote, I placed a flat rock under the coral and elevated it about 1/2 inch above the sand. Damn if that little coral didn't puff up in short order. It gained a good 1/4 inch all around its circumference... seems much happier now - if a coral could be happy, that is.

 

[BS]

It was a sand bottom until the Clowns moved in, They moved the rubble to the base of the Plate. BTW the plate was a hitchhiker on some live rock and has really grown from a little green spot on a rock to it's current size. :rollface: