I know captive-bred clowns don't reliably host, and I know the ones that /do/ will often host things like filter outlets and hair algae. But I want to try giving my upcoming clownfish something to host, and I don't really want to try keeping a BTA. I want a mixed reef, not a BTA species tank.
So, what coral is reasonably likely to attract clownfish to host it, and able to put up with being hosted? I was thinking maybe a rock of xenia, isolated on the sandbed. Fast-growing, waving, no skeleton to bump flesh against and harm, and they should be able to shove into it like it's an anemone. I see some really cute videos on Youtube of clownfish in xenia, and the xenia seems fine.
Any tips on getting them to actually take up residence? I was thinking of getting a big plastic bottle, cutting the bottom off, adding ventilation holes, and putting it over the coral rock. Like how people keep fish from stealing a coral's food. If I could get the clowns in the top of the bottle by any reasonable means (probably use a Gatorade bottle or something else with a large mouth), they'd be contained nicely, and I could leave the bottle on for a few hours so they had a chance to get the idea.
Xenia can't sting in any way, right? I wouldn't want to trap clownfish with an anemone, since they have to acclimate to it, but I don't see any way for xenia to hurt a clownfish.
So, what coral is reasonably likely to attract clownfish to host it, and able to put up with being hosted? I was thinking maybe a rock of xenia, isolated on the sandbed. Fast-growing, waving, no skeleton to bump flesh against and harm, and they should be able to shove into it like it's an anemone. I see some really cute videos on Youtube of clownfish in xenia, and the xenia seems fine.
Any tips on getting them to actually take up residence? I was thinking of getting a big plastic bottle, cutting the bottom off, adding ventilation holes, and putting it over the coral rock. Like how people keep fish from stealing a coral's food. If I could get the clowns in the top of the bottle by any reasonable means (probably use a Gatorade bottle or something else with a large mouth), they'd be contained nicely, and I could leave the bottle on for a few hours so they had a chance to get the idea.
Xenia can't sting in any way, right? I wouldn't want to trap clownfish with an anemone, since they have to acclimate to it, but I don't see any way for xenia to hurt a clownfish.