I think there's a distinction to be made between what is 'normal' in a reef tank and what is natural. In addition, neither of those things is necessarily a good thing for the welfare of your fish/coral/whatever.
I belive a clownfish is happiest in it's natural associated anemone and ascsuch is a healthier in body and mind due ainly to less stress.
There are acceptions the lack of a predator being possibly the only oneIt's not natural for fish to live in an environment essentially free of predators, but it's likely a good thing and would be considered normal in the hobby. This is not natural, but is normal and likely good for the fish's wellbeing.
Common but not natural and yes I believe depremental to the wellbeing of the fish.It is normal, or common at least, in the hobby for fish to be kept without their natural habitats. Wrasse without sand, or without rock rubble to dive in and out of. This is likely bad for the fish's wellbeing.
its at this point we disagree. The need forcan anemone is built into the genetics of the fish and I believe a clown with its host anemone is healthier in body and mind.In the context of the environment, I don't think it's entirely unreasonable that clowns can be content and happy without an anemone.
Again within the generics of the fish unless it has somehow been bred out of them through constant selective breeding. I guess that's possible over continous breeding.The function of an anemone being to protect the clowns and make them feel safe from predators. Captive bred clowns that have never even known any such danger, and even wild caught clowns don't face it in the reef tank environment. Maybe they're happy withoutne?
agreed and is what I believe I more or less stated in my origional post.Additionally, when someone comments that a clownfish's weird behaviour (in comparison to other fish) is normal, they are trying to express to the person asking the question that their fish isn't currently undergoing anything particularly different to most others in the hobby.
Not immediate harm but long term psychological at least and in turn physically. Stress is a big killer in this hobby and the more wevdo to limit it the better forvthe overhaul health of the fish.I think generally this behaviour is not indicative of any immediate issues that will cause immediate harm or death to the fish.
what weird behaviours as I have dived and snorkeled many times and can't recall any behaviour that I could consider weird. Swimming up to my mask warding me off was observed on a number of occasions but that would be natural given the fish would probably connsider me a threat.Finally, I'm far from a marine biologist, but my experience from encounters with clowns in the wild is that they do exhibit at least some of the weird behaviours there too.
I think there's a distinction to be made between what is 'normal' in a reef tank and what is natural. In addition, neither of those things is necessarily a good thing for the welfare of your fish/coral/whatever.
It's not natural for fish to live in an environment essentially free of predators, but it's likely a good thing and would be considered normal in the hobby. This is not natural, but is normal and likely good for the fish's wellbeing.
It is normal, or common at least, in the hobby for fish to be kept without their natural habitats. Wrasse without sand, or without rock rubble to dive in and out of. This is likely bad for the fish's wellbeing.
In the context of the environment, I don't think it's entirely unreasonable that clowns can be content and happy without an anemone. The function of an anemone being to protect the clowns and make them feel safe from predators. Captive bred clowns that have never even known any such danger, and even wild caught clowns don't face it in the reef tank environment. Maybe they're happy without one?
It is normal and natural for humans to live in shelter, but if we could somehow remove the main reasons we do that, maybe we'd all sleep out in our yards under the stars instead.
Additionally, when someone comments that a clownfish's weird behaviour (in comparison to other fish) is normal, they are trying to express to the person asking the question that their fish isn't currently undergoing anything particularly different to most others in the hobby. I think generally this behaviour is not indicative of any immediate issues that will cause immediate harm or death to the fish.
Finally, I'm far from a marine biologist, but my experience from encounters with clowns in the wild is that they do exhibit at least some of the weird behaviours there too.