Solomon Island Clowns - Which Nem to host?

[tingleyl]

We're getting ready to get out first tank going in the next month or two and plan on picking up a mated pair of clowns for our first fish. Right now we're leaning towards Solomon Island clowns, with the hopes that eventually down the road we'll get a Nem for them to host. (Hopefully! I know not all clowns ever host...)

What types of anemones will these potentially host? I think I've seen in some posts that not all varieties of clowns will host certain types of nems?

Will SI Clowns host BTA?

Thanks

 

[Toddrtrex]

They won't host any anemone, but they will be hosted by many.

A Mag and Gig are 2 of their natural hosts, but 2 of the more difficult anemones to keep -- and very very difficult to find healthy ones.

Some info about your tank would be helpful -- have to make sure that your tank can support an anemone.

Some people have had issues with SI percs (( and onyx clowns -- which are "breeder" SI percs )), in certain anemones and losing their black, including BTAs (( E. Quadricolor )). My pair lost their black in an LTA (( M. doreensis )), and have regained it while being hosted by an S. Haddoni.

Lastly, it will be difficult and expensive to find a mated pair, could just get a "pair" and let nature take its course. It took my pair about a year to start spawning.

 

[OrionN]

Anemones are much more difficult to keep than clowns. Set up your tank to keep anemone in mind. This will greatly increase your success. If you just want to keep clowns, you don't have to have anemone.

 

[tingleyl]

Little additional info:

I have a 200 gal DD we're currently building with a 50 gal sump/fuge combo. Plan on doing a mated pair of clowns hopefully a single Nem. Also hoping to do a couple of tangs and a manadarin.

We also would like to keep some corals in the tank, but I've been reading about the nems wandering. We may try to do two seperate rock islands as part of our aquascape to hopefully keep the nem away from the corals.

Is that realistic? I've read a few threads where this has worked with some success for people depending on the variety of Nem, especially if you have your powerhead's setup to discourage them.

Orion, your Mags are amazing!

 

[davocean]

I agree w/ Todd on the loss of black from BTA hosts, happened to me as well.
I personally like sand dwelling nems in a mixed reef to help deal w/ wandering issues, at least then I can keep sensitive sps up high on rocks and closer to light, and if the nem does wander it's more manageable.
There is a nem FAQ sticky above that shows nem/clown compatability and natural hosts, though quite often clowns will accept many host nems other than natural.
I'm curious why just a 50g sump/fuge for a 200g tank?
It is doable, but bigger is better IMO, in fact I need to swap my 40g sump to a 60g(as big as I can fit) for my 150g, just giving a heads up.
Also keep in mind that tank should be 6mo running before adding a nem, or a mandarin too for that matter.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Like "davo" I only keep sand dwelling anemones in a mixed tank -- my 3 all contain Haddonis. The only corals that I have lost to them were frags that got knocked into them. As for the Mandarin, if you end up with any of the 3 "carpets" I would pass -- not a matter of if, but when for it being a meal.

 

[tingleyl]

Sump size is simply due to size limitations. Thanks for the head's up though. I'll keep that in mind as I progress.

I'd read 6-12 mos on the mandarin, but thanks for the info on the nems.

I'll be using a lot of water and sand from an established tank for my initial fill.

I missed the chart, I'll have to go review that. Thanks!

 

[davocean]

I forgot about the carpet/mandy issue, good call.
I've had mandy's w/ sebae's(crispa's) and LTA's(doreensis) w/out issues, and plan to add a pair w/ my present system that has a malu.