Why do people say clownfish "host?"

[Dtackett]

This is not true. Research how many Clowns have been severely stung by unwilling Anemones versus Hammer or power heads.
If an Anemone doesn't wish to be a host the Clown will suffer. No matter how persistent the Clown may be.
I think some people believe that a Clown actually has a choice. Why is my Clown hosting the Hammer and not the Anemone?! How can I get my Clown to host my Anemone?!
In all actuality it is the Anemone that will not host the Clown!!

if the clown doesn't want to be in the nem, it wont be in the nem. bam. clown has a choice.... and ive never seen a clown get tore up by a hosting nem. ive only seen clowns tore up by a nem that doesn't host (condi) or by trying to be in the wrong kind of nem.

 

[ngvu1]

I thought clown fish had a sugar coat that would protect them from being stung by the nems' sting. .... so condi nem sting can kill clown fish? I thought condo nems just wouldn't let the clowns stay on top of them, but the venom would not be not going to hurt the clowns....

 

[Dtackett]

condis can eat clowns. clowns do get stung and different nems pack a different punch. the thing is, the build up a resistance to the sting with a thick slime coat.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What about the clowns claim to be the owner of the nem? When I go to a party, the host is often the owner of the house right?

And they are hosting you. They are not hosting their house. :)

 

[ou12004]

My clowns "crashed" the party with my brain coral and swim right bye a rainbow bubble tip anemone and show no interest in it. It has taken about 2 months but the brain coral is finally getting used to hosting the uninvited guests.

 

[dmac43]

Or they might choose a toadstool... Pretty sure that the toadstool didn't have much say in it :)