Old LTA with Occ clowns

[NatureNerd]

Sorry this may just sound like a vent but, I added some nice pictures to make it less boring and I want some advice from true experts.

17 years ago I got two little common clowns to live with my LTA (M. doreensis). They lived in it since then. See first image. They bred routinely and all was well. They, and the LTA, were clearly the centerpiece of my reef.

Two weeks ago the female died. It was sad, but hey, she was probably 18 yrs old. I decided to try replacing her. I chose a small juvi that had clearly no chance to become a female yet. Meanwhile, the old male really beefed-up and started looking much more female. I introduced the little one slowly and the two clowns hit it off right away. The first whole day they swam next to each other and displayed for each other quite often. That night when the lights started to dim the LTA ate the new clown. The youngster was doing all the things I had expected to acclimate to the new host but it got eaten just the same. So I waited a few days and tried again. Same result. I will never do that again. Any idea what is happening here? Yes, I know that this species of clowns do not naturally live in association with LTA's. But, it seemed so easy last time I did this. Is it because the LTA was only 5" in diameter back then and now it is 12-14"? Any suggestions? By the way, this tank has been set-up for 17 years and there have been very little changes besides coral growth. The new clown was tank raised but so were my first two all those years ago.









Oh, the last picture is the morning after the LTA ate the small occ clown.

 

[NatureNerd]

Can anyone offer advice or suggestions as how to get a ocellaris pair reestablished in this LTA?

 

[davocean]

I would try again in a breeder box, close to nem, but not touching.
I think the new guys had not adapted to nems sting cells yet, and may have rushed in to join new mate, who had adapted.(If they weren't sick or something)
Maybe over time let box get closer to nem, maybe let tents touch box but not clown.
Maybe even cover the nem w/ something that allows flow, but not immediate entrance, something that the new guy may be able to approach, but not enter completely.
That's about all I can think, give it a chance to adapt somehow.
Sorry to hear, but way to go on a nice long run w/ those guys.
Great pics.

 

[NatureNerd]

Thanks. That is a good idea. I do think the young clowns sort of rushed into the anemone as the lights started to dim. After all, the mature clown just jumped in and they were already bonding with him (her?). They probably did not do enough, or spend enough time, to prepare for going into the LTA.

I appreciate the advice. Thanks again. I have had this anemone and pair of clowns for so long, I think I forgot how challenging these things can be.

 

[davocean]

I hear ya, I've only had my clowns 5 years and I would be so bummed if anything happened to them.
It's basically why we tell people don't confine clowns and nems in a container or something to speed hosting, only your new clown just played follow the leader.
Hopefully it works out for you, post pics when it does.

 

[OrionN]

Consider take the old clown out and add the new clown. Once the new clown establish with the anemone, then add the larger older clown in.
You just got to do something to slow the little guy from rushing into the anemone. On his own, he would slow it down but with his newly found mate, he may rush it. I don't think the breeder box work because with the box, he does not get to touch the anemone at all. He will get use to his new mate even faster and rush in the anemone even faster when he get release.

We see that new clown often just brush against the anemone, but not jump in, multiple times before finally get into the anemone. IMO, the clown got to touch the anemone in order for him to get use to the anemone and the anemone get use to him.

 

[NatureNerd]

Thank you both. I will try again in a few months. I have been thinking about upgrading my tank, so maybe that will be a good time to try a different approach. I will put the mature clown in a QT for a couple days and then release the youngster. It will also be easier to reset territories when I move everything over.

You both nailed the problem. The little guy mouthed and brushed the anemone only 5 - 7 times over a four hour period before jumping right in. I remember it taking dozens of careful encounters before a clown could go in without being at risk.