Cave-dwelling clowns

[OnTheReef]

First off, I am new both to the boards and to PSAS, so let me say I am delighted to finally find an *active* online reef community.

So, I just plunked down 75 bucks for this gorgeous, huge anemonie, but my happy pair of oscellarus clowns couldn't care less. I'm not even sure they know the thing is in their tank. They just swim on by and go to the little cave. Yep, that's right, I have a pair of cave-dwelling clownfish. I could just spit. Anyone know whether it's likely they'll eventually adopt this newly introduced host?

Cheers,

Eric

 

[Katchupoy]

I dont know much about clowns, but there are true and there are false... from what I've heard... false dont do anemonies....

But nevertheless, welcome to PSAS, I hope you like it here.

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!

 

[Marine-mania]

OTR, welcome to the PSAS!

What type of anemone did you purchase? There is never any guarantee that clowns will take to an anemone. My pair of Ocellaris clowns were completely uninterested in my RBTA. The RBTA was in their tank for almost two years, until I recently moved it to my 180. The clowns never showed the slightest bit of interest in it. On the other hand, they absolutely *love* hanging out in hair algae. They have a clump of hair algae at the base of a toadstool leather that has been their home for about a year now. They lay eggs about twice a month on the side of the toadstool, just next to the clump of algae. Most people try very hard to eliminate hair algae from their tanks, I try my best to keep it growing, just to keep my clowns happy.

Here is a picture I took tonight of the clowns hanging out in their clump of hair algae. You can see a batch of eggs on the side of the toadstool leather to the right.

http://www.speakeasy.org/~craxis/aquarium/clowns_eggs.jpg

 

[Alice]

Cool on the mating clowns Marine-Mania. Have you ever tried to raise the fry?

Welcome to the PSAS, OnTheReef!

Clowns host with specific anemones, alhtough sometimes they don't read the rules and will host with other anemones...or maybe not at all. What kind of clowns and anemone do you have?

I've seen clowns of all species "host" with about anything, including powerheads, suction cups, overflows. They're funny that way, lol. I had a small perc that hosted with a large Hawaiin feather duster. The duster would close up with that swirling motion and the clown would go for a little ride

 

[Fly n Reef]

I just wanted to add my welcome to PSAS too.
As for your clowns hosting, I bought a Rose BTA about six weeks ago in hopes that my tank raised clowns would jump in, no such luck at first. Then the clowns start to battle with eachother for a couple of weeks, and the smaller of the two was found in the Rose I presume to get away from the other one. I don't know but I am soooooo happy that one of them finally took to it. So if you give it time maybe the will find it on their own. Good luck!

 

[Marine-mania]

I haven't yet tried raising the fry, they pretty much are food for the other tank inhabitants at this point. :shock: I am seriously considering trying to raise the fry, and have already purchased several smaller tanks for just that purpose. Just need to do some re-arranging and setup to get them going. I am also looking to acquire a pair of less common clownfish for my 180.

- Ken

 

[OnTheReef]

They moved in!

Yes, heard it right, my happy pair of percula clowns has abandoned their little cave and moved into the anemone! The coolest part is, I got to watch them do it. They very carefully nudge and pick at the tentacles and gradually move in to where they can rub themselves on the mantle. Fascinating!