Oscellaris clowns

[DrBDC]

Here is a good article on anemone's and picking a correct clownfish according to it's natural host.

http://www.carlosreef.com/AnemoneFAQ.pdf

 

[bsthom01]

I agree that captive bred clowns are a much better option. I think captive breeding is a very positive step in the right direction for the hobby. I own two tank raised clowns myself. However, I think it makes sense that tank raised clown fish would be slower to take to a host anemone. There is little to no danger of being attacked or eaten in a captive breeding program and there is not usually the opportunity to see other clowns with their host anemones in captivity and as such, no way for them to "learn" from their surroundings. After reading the article suggested by DrBDC, I think you'll notice that A. ocellaris do not naturally form a symbiotic relationship with RBTA anemones, so that may also contribute to the lenght of time it takes for them to accept this host. So, just keep that in mind when you put them together. You are asking two species that normally aren't symbionts in the wild to do so in captivity. It's not surprising that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.