How long for clownfish and anemone to bond?

FurrierTransform · Jul 22, 2022

Hi Folks, I'd like to get the group's take on how long it takes for a clownfish and an anemone to form a symbiotic relationship. I just recently added a long tentacle anemone and a maroon clownfish (no other significant inhabitants), and the fish hasn't expressed any interest in the anemone. They were new to each other. Both are on the smallish side (maybe 4 cm for the fish and 7 cm for the anemone), so do I need to wait for the anemone to get larger? The tank is a pentagonal/corner tank, 50 gallons.

New&no clue · Jul 22, 2022

In my experience if the anemone is a natural host of the type of clown fish it takes a day or two.

FurrierTransform · Jul 22, 2022

New&no clue said:
In my experience if the anemone is a natural host of the type of clown fish it takes a day or two.

Yes, my previous clownfish would take immediately to an anemone. I am guessing this is a very young clownfish and doesn't know that it's supposed to bond with the anemone.

gbroadbridge · Jul 22, 2022

FurrierTransform said:
Yes, my previous clownfish would take immediately to an anemone. I am guessing this is a very young clownfish and doesn't know that it's supposed to bond with the anemone.

If it's captive bred rather than wild, it may have no idea what an anemone is

It may figure it out eventually, or like mine - never.

Kerinin · Jul 22, 2022

Mine took awhile (months), and I believe the reason is that my anemones weren’t healthy. As soon as I got my nitrate levels up and the anemones started looking healthier my two (captive bred) clowns immediately started hanging out in them.

Jekyl · Jul 22, 2022

Took mine over 2 years. Including every trick I could find on the internet and hundreds in anemone. For all of my trouble they bite me any time my hands in the tank.

chandavi · Jul 22, 2022

I’ve a pair of clowns 1.5 years in tank. Added a bubble tip 4 months ago ( it’s since split into 4!) and now the female is just starting to show interest by swimming close with occasional touch. Hoping another month or so she‘ll be hosted fully.