Clownfish sucking on Goniopora

[sm0ggers]

Fun new behavior started tonight with a clown and Goni that have been together for over a month.

Will the Red ORA Goni survive this? Should I be getting a nem ASAP? I do already have a nem guard but their unpredictability would still scare me. The tank is just over a year old, but still feels like a battle to keep parameters stable. Currently working on getting nutrients up for once.

Parameters as of last night:
Temp 78
Salinity 1.025
pH 8.2
Nitrate 1.0 ppm
Phosphate 0.01ppm
Calcium 395 ppm
Magnesium 1320 ppm
Alk 9.4 dKH

 

[sm0ggers]

Not sure why the video didn't post

 

[Tahoe61]

There is a theory that clowns to this to enhance their ability to stay unrecognizable to hosting anemones. Clowns might nip off the tips as well.

My Clowns were hosted by a larger red Goniopora without detriment to the coral. However, unfortunately your beautiful Goniopora looks too small.

 

[steveschuerger]

See above . They are theorized to do this as to both acclimate to the stinging cells and to help the anemone recognize them supposedly. The clowns I had did the same to me. The unfortunate part is there’s a chance it’ll aggravate the coral to the point it dies so watch for polyp regression . And yeah when they used my larger Gonis it was fine. But I lost 3 frogspawn, 4 Gonis to the buggers over 4 years.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

wow I didn't know clowns did that, amazing! My clowns are also hosted by my goni colonies for years, it doesn't bother my goni's but I've never seen the clowns bite or suck the polyps.

 

[BryanM]

I do not think that this goni will survive that if it continues for any length of time.

 

[xiaoxiy]

I’m curious, how’s the Goniopora holding up a month later now?