Clownfish hosting anemone experience

[nanobrando]

So Ive had this clownfish for 1.5 years and I’ve had the anemone for 6 months in a 25g. I had two clowns but there was aggression so now there’s one, neither ever paid mind to the anemone. I’ve tried feeding around it they just eat and whatever sunk the anemone ate. I heard playing a video of one hosting worked tried it no luck yet. The most symbolic relationship I’ve gotten was the clowns eating my duncan corals poop. Maybe the anemones to small?

So anyway I’m interested to hear others experience with clownfish and anemones. Did they ever host, how long did it take, did a trick work?

 

[Euphyllia97]

In the past I was able to get my clownfish to host my BTA by placing it in a fishtrap near the anemone for a couple of hours. Was able to open one side of the trap facing the anemone and he went in and remained there for years :)

 

[nanobrando]

In the past I was able to get my clownfish to host my BTA by placing it in a fishtrap near the anemone for a couple of hours. Was able to open one side of the trap facing the anemone and he went in and remained there for years :)

Is the fish trap your talking about the sphere one that floats so when they swim in you remove the magnet? I would love to see some photos aswell.

 

[Biokabe]

From what I've read it seems to be very hit and miss.

In my own case - I put in a RBTA for my pink skunk, expecting nothing. Three days later she was hosting it.

That RBTA became 8, so she's now a wealthy landowner and will wallow in whatever tentacles are nearby.

 

[nanobrando]

From what I've read it seems to be very hit and miss.

In my own case - I put in a RBTA for my pink skunk, expecting nothing. Three days later she was hosting it.

That RBTA became 8, so she's now a wealthy landowner and will wallow in whatever tentacles are nearby.

Haha I’ve heard skunk clowns host rbas better I’ve been considering getting them instead. Wow 8 new nems how long did that take?

 

[Biokabe]

Haha I’ve heard skunk clowns host rbas better I’ve been considering getting them instead. Wow 8 new nems how long did that take?

It's actually been 12, but I've managed to get 4 out of the tank so far.

I picked up the first one probably spring of 2024. The first split happened about 2-3 months later. Before I knew it there were 5, all on one rock. Then I looked up and they had spread to two more rocks.

 

[nanobrando]

It's actually been 12, but I've managed to get 4 out of the tank so far.

I picked up the first one probably spring of 2024. The first split happened about 2-3 months later. Before I knew it there were 5, all on one rock. Then I looked up and they had spread to two more rocks.

Very cool would love to see some pics

 

[Biokabe]

Ask and ye shall receive:

FTS from September 2023, apparently I've had it for a bit longer than I thought:

And a close-up of it:

And here's my most recent FTS, as of Saturday:

There's one nem in jail, 2-3 on the rock on the right, 5-6 on the rock on the left.

And here's a close-up of the left rock, the clown was caught in the act of wallowing:

 

[MnFish1]

So Ive had this clownfish for 1.5 years and I’ve had the anemone for 6 months in a 25g. I had two clowns but there was aggression so now there’s one, neither ever paid mind to the anemone. I’ve tried feeding around it they just eat and whatever sunk the anemone ate. I heard playing a video of one hosting worked tried it no luck yet. The most symbolic relationship I’ve gotten was the clowns eating my duncan corals poop. Maybe the anemones to small?

So anyway I’m interested to hear others experience with clownfish and anemones. Did they ever host, how long did it take, did a trick work?

Nice tank

 

[BryanM]

I'm not an expect in this hosting scenario, but it seems it is the anemone that hosts the fish, not the other way around, though I am not sure why that distinction is made.

In theory the nem gets protection from the clown, nutrients from the clown waste, and the clown gets protection from the nem.

To me it almost feels like if you want to get a nem to host a clown you might want to put a predator in there that might go after the clown, maybe the clown will make friends with the nem..... I'm not saying to do this, but I can say I've never had my nem, or my massive toadstools host anything.

People have also reported using an iPad, showing clowns hosted in nems, pointing that at the tank so the clowns can watch it, and they've learned what you want them to do. I have not tried this, but two people at my LFS both claim this works.

 

[BonnieB]

In my tanks the females host and don’t let their mates in (gives new meaning to “you gotta sleep on the couch tonight”!). It took my first pair 7 months to even go near it and then another two before actually going in. The second pair were hosting when I got them and are going strong!

 

[MnFish1]

In my tanks the females host and don’t let their mates in (gives new meaning to “you gotta sleep on the couch tonight”!). It took my first pair 7 months to even go near it and then another two before actually going in. The second pair were hosting when I got them and are going strong!

I'm not sure you're getting the point. But all good.

 

[BonnieB]

In my tanks the females host and don’t let their mates in (gives new meaning to “you gotta sleep on the couch tonight”!). It took my first pair 7 months to even go near it and then another two before actually going in. The second pair were hosting when I got them and are going strong!

I'm not sure you're getting the point. But all good.

Ok I guessed I missed something!

 

[gbroadbridge]

Interesting.

It usually happens the other way around :-)

 

[kyreefville]

Not a nem! My clowns have taken a hammer hostage after a year. They use to swim around now it’s almost always hanging on hammer. Female seems to have kicked the male mostly out of hammer.

Hammer not loving the whole ordeal and staying fairly tight and unextended.

Hence I call hostage not hosting.

 

[Tangdora]

You can easily get it to host if you can scoop it out. Put in a clear glass cup and hold the cup direct on top of the nem with no escape. Gently swish the cup around letting the tenticle touch the clown. May be standing there for like 30 mins to an hour. But as the nem touch’s it more you will see the clown start to get more comfortable with it.

 

[winxp_man]

From what I've read it seems to be very hit and miss.

In my own case - I put in a RBTA for my pink skunk, expecting nothing. Three days later she was hosting it.

That RBTA became 8, so she's now a wealthy landowner and will wallow in whatever tentacles are nearby.

I have to say farm raised Ocelaris are the hardest to get in nems, the others seem to find home faster! The fastest are the maroon from my experience. Mine is the proud property owner of 15 nems! Hahaha!

 

[winxp_man]

Not a nem! My clowns have taken a hammer hostage after a year. They use to swim around now it’s almost always hanging on hammer. Female seems to have kicked the male mostly out of hammer.

Hammer not loving the whole ordeal and staying fairly tight and unextended.

Hence I call hostage not hosting.

Sadly they will possibly kill that hammer if not stopped. My brother ran into such thing.

 

[kyreefville]

Sadly they will possibly kill that hammer if not stopped. My brother ran into such thing.

I was fearing this!

The hammer fell over and I think the clown was ready to give up on living.

 

[kyreefville]

Sadly they will possibly kill that hammer if not stopped. My brother ran into such thing.

Jinxed me I went down tonight and a piece of hammer hanging down like torn fabric. Moved the hammer and cross the fingers.

Clown not happy with me and when I left was taking it out on other clown.