purple tip anemone as a host?

[glockcoma]

I just got two clownfish a couple of days ago, and today I went to the lfs and I really wanted this purple tip anemone, it was real cool looking and I thought maybe my new clownfish would use it as a host, but the owner of the store said that it would NOT be a good choice, becouse perculas will never use that type of anemone to host, is this true, I felt he might have wanted me to buy a more expensive anomene,

 

[anthamm93]

in nature they host in them but in aquaria they dont always

 

[returnofsid]

Glockcoma...depends on what you're calling a "purple tip" anemone. If it's a Condylactis...then NO. They don't host anything in nature since they're found in the Atlantic Ocean and no Clowns are found in the Atlantic. They're also more likely to EAT your fish than host anything.

 

[glockcoma]

she said something about the anemone being hatian

 

[reefshadow]

If it was white or cream with pink or purple tips it is likely a bleached sebae or as stated above a condylactis which is an atlantic species and not a natural clown host. I did have a tank years ago with a couple of condys and some domino damsels used it as a host.

If it was inexpensive (below 10 bucks) it was likely a condy.

 

[Joshua1023]

I've always heard that Atlantic anemones are poor choices. I have however seen Maroon clowns nestled in them at the pet store. Never a Percula though.