RBTA and True Percs

[mushnmeesh]

I just got a beautiful RBTA from a fellow reefer and it seems to be doing well. I have a pair of wild caught true percs that don't seem to notice it's there, Is there anything that I can do to help them notice and host in it or do I have to wait it out with my fingers crossed?? If i try to put the anemone were the clowns sleep will that help it along or will it not make a diff?
Thanks!!!

 

[mushnmeesh]

Doesn't anyone have advice????

 

[jefathome]

Put a sign out front?

Sorry... couldn't resist. No real help though.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

BTAs are not natural hosts for percs/ocellaris clowns. So, its hit or miss with perc/occelaris and a BTA symbiont relationship.
I had a pair of percs 5 years ago and 12 rose BTAs in my 180 gallon reef. The percs ignored all 12 roses and hosted in my large colt coral for 3 years. Then, one day they decided they liked one of the roses and made it home.
When I set up my 240 cube, I again had several rose BTAs and added a new pair of black ocellaris clowns. They immediately went to one of the rose BTAs and seem very happy there! However, I just added a small Ritteri/Magnifica and a large red haddoni. They are now going back and forth between the rose, the carpet, and the Ritteri. I'm not sure which one they will settle in.
So, as you can see, its really up to the clowns and what they decide to do. I think if you added a naturally ocurring host anemone to them, like a Ritteri/Magnifica or LTA, they would probably take to it quicker.
I'd give them some more time and see what happens.

 

[keefsama2003]

LTA being the easier out of the rit/lta choices

 

[NoSchwag]

Try this..

Catching the clownfish is easy.. About 2 hrs after lights out, have someone shine a flashlight at them, then just scoup them up.

 

[mushnmeesh]

Does that really work? I think I'll try that, I hope it dosn't hurt them.

 

[NoSchwag]

Absolutely worked for me...

 

[mushnmeesh]

That was incredible!! What great advice, last night I took the anemonee and the rock it was on and put it in a container and I cought the clowns and put them in the container with the anemone for about an hour. after a little while in the container the clown were hanging out near the RBTA. I put them back in the tank after the hour and with in the next 30 min. they dove in and now host in it!!! It's the coolest thing!!!
Thanks aton Noscwag!!!!
I'll try to post pics later today.

 

[saltyfishy123]

They should be fine (maybe eat the clown Just Kidding )

 

[heuerfan]

Wow, sounds like a great idea, i'm going to try tonight and post my results, wish me luck. My tiny percula swims around the rbta.

 

[RokleM]

Wow... I can't believe more people haven't thought of that. That seems like the most likely way to get their attention. I will have to try it myself, but I need a bigger net

 

[phender]

Be very careful if your anemone is very sticky or your clown is small. The anemone is very capable of eating a non-acclimated clown.
BTAs would "usually" be safe for this method, but don't try it with a haddoni carpet no matter the species or size of the clownfish. I have a H. crispa that killed a clown that swam in too fast as well.

 

[mushnmeesh]

Instead of useing a net what I did was use a small tupperware container this way they don't get stressed enough and they can swim alittle around just that they are right next to the RBTA at all times they will bump into it and realize it's there. Now my clown play in the RBTA all day and sleep in it all night. my only prob is my RBTA likes to face the back of the tank so I can't see in its ful glory all the time!!

 

[NoSchwag]

Glad it worked out for you..