When to get BTA and will clownfish use it?

[razord]

Two questions that I'd like everyone's thoughts on:

1.) How long to wait and how do I know my system is mature? I'm pretty sure I want a BTA. I've read 6 months in general, but curious if there are any specific signs that I should be looking for? I recently upgraded tank sizes a few months ago and moved contents to the new system.

2.) The clownfish (Perc) in my tank is at least a few years old. I've had him for 2 years in my smaller tank and I believe he's never been exposed to an anemone prior to that. I know there is no guarantee they ever host, but is the likelihood lower because he's been without one for so long?


Thanks!

 

[Eznate]

How old is your current tank? People generally say 6 months to a year usually for a reason. If you need to ask how long does the system need to mature, you should wait the full 6 months. I don't mean that disrespectfully. By 6 months the average tank owner has a good routine to maintain stable water conditions. That is the number one goal, maintaining stable water conditions. In my opinion, and I may be incorrect, you should not add an anemone if you have any unwanted algae. That is a very good indicator that something is wrong. Also, what is your lighting? That is very important as well. The initial health of the anemone is something to look for. Make sure that the anemone is very healthy in the store. Look for signs of bleaching. There are some key factors to set up an anemone for success:

Research!
Initial health
Stable and good water conditions
Lighting
Flow


With that being said, I have an ocellaris clownfish that likes to hang out in my bubble tip anemone. I did have to help guide the clown though. I used an interesting method. I waited until the lights went out in the tank and grabbed my small led flashlight. While the lights were off, I shined the light at the anemone for about 30 minutes. Eventually the clown noticed the anemone and swam right in. People have used a few methods, and with some nothing worked. Some clowns just hop right in. It depends on the clown I guess.

 

[aznflyfisherman]

If u can catch the clowns easily n once you get the bta you can place both in a collandar to force it to go into the bta.

 

[razord]

Thanks! To answer the questions, the tank itself is a 55g and about 4 months but much of the contents and water was transferred from a smaller tank (not sure if that matters). Lighting is 4 65W power compact bulbs (two 65 watt 10,000K and two 65 watt True Actinic). I plan to upgrade to LEDs down the line, but this is the system that I have from my earlier days in the hobby many years ago.

 

[NYCBOB]

Upgrade to led first then get the anemone later.

 

[razord]

Upgrade to led first then get the anemone later.

Happy to follow that order, but just curious, why? Would the 4 65w PCs not be sufficient? Or is it just they like LEDs better?

 

[vashawn]

i have a question and didnt want to start a new tread:
how big does an ane has to be in order for a clown to host?

i have a rainbow bta about 3" max for 1 mth and 2 black ice paid for 2 weeks about 1"

 

[Flanders]

Happy to follow that order, but just curious, why? Would the 4 65w PCs not be sufficient? Or is it just they like LEDs better?

Go for it. The PCs will be fine. Those who have been in the hobby for a long time probably remember keeping BTAs with no trouble using NO fluorescents.

 

[Soluent1]

With regard as to whether a clown will "take to" a bubble tip, I have five clowns that taken up with bubble tips within a few days of introduction. Usually within hours. They are all "designer" ocellaris fish. I have heard it said that captive bred designer ocellaris "lose" the hosting instinct, but I have seen no evidence of this in my limited experience.

 

[ca1ore]

i have a question and didnt want to start a new tread:
how big does an ane has to be in order for a clown to host?

i have a rainbow bta about 3" max for 1 mth and 2 black ice paid for 2 weeks about 1"

Anemone is the host, not the clownfish. BTA is not a natural host for many of the common clowns, so some may accept it as a host while others may not. Anemone size is not a big factor.

Not sure what you were asking in your last sentence .....