Clowns are strange

notMrDurden · Jul 25, 2022

So I have two clowns that I got about a month and a half ago... An Ocellaris (Nemo) and a Wyoming White (Steve). And before you ask, they're just roommates.

The past few nights ol Steve (the bigger of the two) has been dancing around this zoa frag. Nemo is getting close, but not too close.. he gets run off if he lingers too long. Now I don't know a whole lot about these guys, because I'm relatively new to the saltwater side of aquariums... But it's he trying to host this zoa? And what are the chances he is about to make the big swap?

Link below because I couldn't attach a video

https://youtube.com/shorts/8MPKh9CrXaA?feature=share

laezur · Jul 25, 2022

She’s certainly chosen her territory! What’s the tank size/flow? I only ask because the smaller common clown looks like it’s being blown about a bit

notMrDurden · Jul 25, 2022

laezur said:
She’s certainly chosen her territory! What’s the tank size/flow? I only ask because the smaller common clown looks like it’s being blown about a bit

No matter what way I move the powerhead, he wants to be RIGHT in the wash.... To the point that when it's off, he routinely jumps in front of the return. The powerhead is a bit high for this 17 gallon tank, but it's in there after my dino explosion last week and is only on a few minutes every hour.

laezur · Jul 25, 2022

notMrDurden said:
No matter what way I move the powerhead, he wants to be RIGHT in the wash.... To the point that when it's off, he routinely jumps in front of the return. The powerhead is a bit high for this 17 gallon tank, but it's in there after my dino explosion last week and is only on a few minutes every hour.

Clownfish are fish that are just terribly designed for swimming LOL. He'll get better as he grows, just gotta be careful as they're small - turning the pumps off for feeding to make sure he can get some food is always helpful

Jekyl · Jul 26, 2022

Try angling the pumps toward the surface for indirect flow and surface agitation. Also if Steve is the one controlling the territory then it's most likely Stephanie, or will be soon. As far as the zoas hosting a clown, that's not how it works. She's just claiming a territory. When an anemone hosts a clown, it's the anemones decision and its done as a partnership. The anemone provides safety and the clown provides food.