Ocellaris clownfish wont host Long tentacle anemone!!

reefer_evo5 · Jun 17, 2021

Hello, I recently got into the hobby with a small Fluval Evo v saltwater tank. I currently have two small Ocellaris clownfish and a long tentacle anemone and I can’t seem to get them to host the anemone at all. Is it maybe because they are to small? The Lta is pretty big and looks to be in great condition only had this set up for couple of months now.

Peace River · Jun 17, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

Jekyl · Jun 17, 2021

Welcome! I've had multiple anemone and clowns for years. The nems still don't host the clowns. Some do and some never will.

KrisReef · Jun 17, 2021

My mom wanted me to date this girls she liked once. I never did and I didn't want to either.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

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dhnguyen · Jun 17, 2021

Well for starter long tentacled nems aren't natural hosts for ocellaris clowns. And there's no guarantee the hosting would occur even if the nems are natural hosts.

dvgyfresh · Jun 17, 2021

doesn’t work for everyone, but what worked for me was playing laptop video right next to tank of clowns in anemone and welcome

Jekyl · Jun 17, 2021

What type of lighting and glow do you have for the tank? How old is it? Worried you jumped in head first before researching anemone.

sealife4life · Jun 17, 2021

I have 2 sets of clowns (white speckled, caramel) and 3 rbtas and none are hosted by clowns. It’s never a guarantee that they will. They’ve been together for 4 months now. I do occasionally see them pecking at the tips but never hosted. I also believe that they are not really threatened in tank being tank mates are lawnmower blenny and diamond goby. Maybe later when I add for fish things will be different.

Fish Think Pink · Jun 17, 2021

reefer_evo5 said:

Welcome!

Glad you joined. Similar to @dvgyfresh suggestion of video, often finding picture online of an anemone like yours hosting clownfish like yours, print it out, tape it onto tank so fish can see it and in 1-2 weeks or so your clownfish may figure it out and begin going in... Good luck!

mdb_talon · Jun 17, 2021

Maybe not helpful, but I would say not anything to worry about. Clowns will go where they feel comfortable. It is good to give them options, but if they feel more comfortable somewhere else it is no issue normally. My clowns usually seem to prefer gonioporas even when a bubble tip is in the tank. One pair in a frag tank prefers prefers a PVC pipe even though i put a goniopora in there precisely because all my clowns in other tanks choose the goniopora as a host....