Plastic Anemones

[Durbelethwen]

Since I am only a beginner I felt it would be best to keep a fish only tank for the time being. I also wish to have a pair of common clown fish (among other non-related species). Since I would prefer not to have an anemone at the moment and I hope to keep the fish happy: are there any anemone shaped plastic decorations out there to put in the tank? I have looked around and have not found any, but maybe I have not looked hard enough. Thank you.

 

[Conrad25]

You can find different decorations, but not anemone style from what I have ever seen. I have clowns and for a while and when I first had my tank, they never had a anemone. Clowns do not need them or anything to survive or be happy. Some don't even hose the anemone after you have one in the tank. They will host anything from a decoration or power head to a live coral. Mine currently right now like to host the Hammer coral and Torch along with a few other things. So I wouldn't worry too much about having to get specific. I would just look at whats attractive. Also make sure to give the fish plenty of spots to make a home if they desire.


Conrad

 

[B-Willz]

I would doubt they would host in a fake nem. There is a specific relationship between the two and they work together. Be very carefull about putting things in your tank, plastic wont hurt but the paint could. Don't worry about having a nem for them thet will be ok, as long as there are hiding places for them.

 

[Mavrk]

1. You haven't looked hard enough. There are even some on amazon.
2. Clowns are perfectly happy without an anemone. But it does look cool when they are hosted by one.
3. Depending on your clown, I wouldn't count on it taking the fake one as a host. I have seen it happen though.
4. Only 1 species of clown per tank please. And no more than 2 clowns as well.

 

[2Addicted]

1. You haven't looked hard enough. There are even some on amazon.
2. Clowns are perfectly happy without an anemone. But it does look cool when they are hosted by one.
3. Depending on your clown, I wouldn't count on it taking the fake one as a host. I have seen it happen though.
4. Only 1 species of clown per tank please. And no more than 2 clowns as well.

+1

A friend of mine had a silicone looking anemone decoration. A few hours after he put it in his corals started closing up. The next morning most of the corals were dead. I told him over and over dont put it in the tank but he had his mind set. I would really stay away from them.

 

[bues0022]

The item likely hadn't been washed from the molding process. Silicone is inert and doesn't cause a problem, but the chemicals they use to ensure it comes out from the mold definitely would be toxic.

Also, clowns have been known to be hosted by almost anything in the tank - from clams, to corals, to powerheads, to overflows. You never know what they decide to call home.

 

[andymh]

Just like others have said, clowns are perfectly fine without an anemone and will pick many different things to be hosted by. My percs for example stay in my green toadstool even though there is a RBTA in the tank with them. It doesn't bother me as long as they're happy and it actually looks really neat to see them turn sideways and lay in it. There are plenty non anemone options out there and there's no way of knowing what will work without trying a few different things.

I have never been a fan of fake decorations but if you don't plan on adding any corals you could give it a try. Just like everything else, make sure you rinse it off really well before putting it in your tank and you should be fine. A friend of mine even uses the fake anemone as a hiding place for the baby banggai cardinals he raises.

 

[phender]

Like everyone has said, clowns don't need a host to be happy and if they feel the need they will adopt almost anything. Here is a pic of a some baby orange skunks that took a liking to a fake anemone (fake elephant ear mushroom actually). Fake things tend to be a pain to try and keep looking clean.

 

[evolutionracr]

I have an anenome that I purchased for my clowns to host in. They seem to like my koralia better. Go figure!

 

[AcroJames]

i got 2 nems but my clowns love the toadstool and my pagoda more than anything.

 

[phiber_optikx]

It is true they will host anything. I had one host a large aiptasia once but it soon moved onto the empty corner of the tank

 

[mbattles22]

We have a pair of maroon clowns that killed two bubble corals trying to host with it and started on our fox coral before we gave in and bought a RTBA. People say that clowns don't need to host, but our certainly do! Now our RTBA is giving us trouble moving around and just doesn't seem happy. But at least the clown fish are leaving our new bubble coral and the fox coral alone!