problems with clowns hosting in corals

[Gary Majchrzak]

I've yet to replace the large host anemones (Haddon's and M. doreensis LTA) lost in my move earlier this year. I kept those anemones for quite a long time (5 and 10 years respectively), each had spawned in my aquarium and it was not fun losing them. Now, I've got a mint pair of percula Clowns hosting in my wall Hammer coral. My plan was to keep the fish in the coral rather than another anemone- but they're loving it to death. Unfortunately, there's some tissue recession happening where the fish snuggle against the coral. I need to do something to save the coral. If I offer them the right anemone I'm willing to bet they'll leave the coral alone. The other option is to get rid of the Hammer coral- but the fish would probably move on to destroy another one of my other LPS. Another option is to get rid of the fish- which I consider my last option since I like them so much.
I'm really loathe to add a large host anemone. They cause serious damage to whatever they brush up against, and I'd need to reshuffle rockwork and corals to prevent any destruction.
The 3 natural host species for percula are the LTA Heteractis crispa, the "Gigantea" carpet anemone Stichodactyla gigantea and the Magnificent anemone H. magnifica- so I guess that's where I'll start looking...

unless somebody has another suggestion!

 

[fancyfish]

Gary
I have a very similar problem with my clown hosting in my flowerpot. I am going to move my coral for a few days where my clown typically does not swim. Hopefully this will help. I posted a similar question so hopefully someone will have a good solution

 

[zoomfish1]

If your clowns are as territorial as mine, moving the coral may work. I moved a frogspawn to get a clarkii out of it and it worked. I would def. try moving the coral first.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Moving the coral hasn't helped this time. The fish follow the coral wherever it goes. Unfortunately, most anemones in the trade are still referred to by their common names ("Sebae" and "LTA" for example) which makes it difficult to obtain the proper species.