Clowns and non-anemone hosts.

[Zionas]

With all the issues of maintaining anemones, that makes them not for everyone, it seems that many people have had their Clowns host a Mushroom, Leather, or another kind of soft coral (not sure which other ones can host). In these cases, how long did it take for your Clowns to host the substitute (if it was accepted), and did you notice any damage to the coral, or straight up killing the coral?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My clowns are hosted by my goni's, the goni's seem to like it, always puffy and happy for the clowns.

 

[Nordy]

There’s plenty of techniques for having an anemone host a clown, or I suppose a Duncan, or some frogspawn. I sorta believe you need a surrogate clown that knows to take refuge in anemones or a coral. The captive bred designer clowns in my opinion will take on a territory of your tank and have no interest in an anemone host or coral. I tried videos to teach mine, putting in more aggressive fish. In the ocean it’s a symbiotic relationship for there safety, hierarchy and well being. In a tank a lot of ocean life won’t apply, and that clown might be tenth generation aquacultured. Oscellaris are tougher than a percula to have an anemone host them, seems like bta’s are the go to for many hobbyist and that is not there normal anemone host. Certain types of anemone fish are going to have that behavior for needing a host. But it is cool to see them go for a coral host if that coral doesn’t mind.

 

[Zionas]

Might be worth a shot with something like a big Leather or GSP, it seems. I do recall BTAs might be natural hosts for the Skunk Clowns (Pink and Orange and that complex)? Not a big fan of the designer Clowns.

 

[TX_REEF]

Might be worth a shot with something like a big Leather or GSP, it seems. I do recall BTAs might be natural hosts for the Skunk Clowns (Pink and Orange and that complex)? Not a big fan of the designer Clowns.

BTAs are definitely natural hosts for maroons.

 

[Zionas]

@TX_REEF I know that, and also for the Clarkii and Tomatoes. Just too aggressive for many community tanks, from what I gathered. Are BTAs problems for other fish and corals too?

 

[Reefer_Marc]

Have 2 clownfish, they were hosted in an anemone for about 2 years before the anemone sadly died. Went without anemone for 3 years but they didnt care about any of the corals, just stayed near where the anemone used to be

 

[kevgib67]

Mine were hosted by my return nozzle for a year before they moved down into my duncan.

 

[kevgib67]

They do like to play in my GSP occasionally.

 

[kevgib67]

They do like to play in my GSP occasionally.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0faZSnivpQKBS8kCRizbJgW2A

 

[DexterKarin]

Mine are hosted by frogspawn and they can love them a bit too roughly. I have 3 frogspawn together to distribute the hosting. I have moved one to another part of the tank to help it recover from overuse. All three corals are a bit ragged. The price we pay.

 

[Zodiac]

Hammer, frogspawn, goniopora, duncan, leather and any coral that has long appendages. They might damage the coral from nudging and wiggling on it. A larger coral would take the abuse better.

If it takes more than a couple of months to adopt anything, they probably dont feel very comfortable for various possible reasons or they're not interested in what you got.

I've had all sorts of corals plus anemone and my clowns wouldnt care and would just hover in a spot in the tank. On the other hand, I've had clowns that would love to completely disappear inside a hammer, frogspawn or anemone.

The right species of clown is the trick. Ocellaris are the trickiest to adopt an anemone or anything else, the percula are more susceptible to adopting anemones and corals but are a bit aggressive towards peaceful fish. Other clowns are even more fond of corals and nems but might be much more aggressive.

Not all anemones wonder around that much, some will stay on the bottom like carpet anemones, it will depend on factors such as light and flow, among others. In case you consider an anemone, Its important to research into what type of anemone best pairs with your clownfish to increase chances of success.

Good luck!

 

[Idech]

My clowns started being hosted by mushrooms recently. Mostly the male. It took a long time, maybe 1 1/2 year.

 

[Zionas]

Thanks! I don’t think an anemone would be in my plans any time soon, if I do go down the route of wanting them to host, maybe something like a Sinularia or Mushroom. Or GSPs. At least that’s what I’ll attempt first. It also seems captive bred Clowns, sometimes just have weaker instincts due to lack of natural predators.