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FAQs about the Clownfishes & Anemones, Hosts 6
Related FAQs: Clownfish/Anemones 1,
Clownfish/Anemones 3,
Clownfish/Anemones 3,
Clownfish/Hosts 4, Clownfish/Hosts 5,
Clownfish/Hosts 7, & Clownfishes in
General, Clownfish Identification,
Clownfish Selection, Clownfish
Compatibility, Clownfish Behavior,
Clownfish Systems, Clownfish Feeding,
Clownfish Diseases, Brooklynellosis,
Breeding Clowns, Related
Articles: Clownfishes,
Clownfish & Anemone Compatibility By James Gasta,
Maroon Clowns,
Anemones, | 
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Looking for a suitable host! Clowns
Hey Crew,
Thanks to all
of your help both directly and through other postings on your web site,
my tank is looking better than it ever has! I've had saltwater aquariums
for about 6-7 years now and over the course, I've had several types of
clownfish. Unfortunately, I've never been able to get a pair that had
any interest in an anemone. I just bought a pair of tank-raised,
juvenile, mis-barred Perculas and would like any suggestions as to what
anemone would be the most likely candidate and if there are any tricks
to teach them to host in it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Will
<Posted... but a bunch to read through. I'd try a
tank-cloned Entacmaea... and add, at least temporarily, a third
"whipping boy" Amphiprionine/clown... not necessarily the same species.
This will 'drive' the current clowns... Bob Fenner>
Raggedy Clownies... stung introductions
Hey there!
<Hi Tina>
First off, thanks for providing this immense resource. I have learned so
much from your site...I am a newbie to the saltwater hobby and couldn't
have started without you!
<Welcome>
I have a 90 gallon reef tank
that is about 2 1/2 months old. I run a DandD skimmer in the sump.
<Hee... I read this at first as a "Dandy" product...>
I use filter
fiber to help pull particles out of the stream but don't use charcoal.
There are about 90 pounds of live rock in the tank. Tank parameters are
great: SPG 1.0024,
<One decimal place off...>
ammonia 0, nitrates
and nitrites are 0, temperature 78. I have two false percula clownfish
(juveniles) and 1 yellow Coris wrasse so far. I feed the fish pellets,
Mysis shrimp, and brine shrimp.
<Mmm, not too much of this last...>
I also have a T. crocea, a sea urchin, emerald crab, many hermits and
snails, 2 peppermint shrimp and a coral banded cleaner shrimp. Corals
include xenia, elegance, candy cane, and very small frog spawn frag. So
that's the inventory so far. The xenia is pulsing like mad, so I don't
think water quality is an issue. My problem is that the clownfish have
back fins that are looking ragged, and are slowly getting worse. They
seem to be eroding away! I noticed this morning the pectoral fins are
starting to look bad too. I don't think this is clownfish disease or
another parasite, by all accounts these diseases move quickly and would
have killed them by now.
<Yes>
I should note that they were in a
quarantine tank for 3 weeks before I added them to the main tank, and I
noticed a slight raggedness to the fins even then. I suspect a bacterial
infection but I don't know how to treat it. Any suggestions? Your help
is greatly appreciated, I don't want to lose the little cuties.
Tina
Henry in Connecticut
<I fully suspect that your Clownfishes have
been trying to establish relations with one of the Euphylliids... the
Frogspawn or Elegance... with not much "stinging" success... Either the
cooperating parties (the Euphyllia hopefully) will "partner up" and your
clowns will heal... or they may be consumed or too damaged by coming in
contact with the Catalaphyllia... I would somehow screen this last
(maybe with a plastic "berry box" inverted over it... to keep the Clowns
away... Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/clnfshanmfaq5.htm
and the linked files above... and maybe re the olde family name
Caryophylliidae re Compatibility... or the search tool (linked on the
left shared border on the root and all subwebs re "Ask the Crew A
Question" re "Clowns, Hosts, Disease" and read the cached views. Cheers,
Bob Fenner>
Clownfish Behavior 10/30/07
Hi all,
I had two quick questions
regarding two 2" Perculas in my 65gal.
1. They both are trying to
host a Mushroom (its about 4" across), and since they began that a few
days ago, it hasn't properly opened. Any suggestions on this, are there
any other corals that serve clowns better that I could get?
2. Also,
they both have taken to hanging around a flat bottomed cave in my LR,
and lay on it day and night for the most part, but still come out to eat
and swim around occasionally, and to bug the mushroom. I haven't seen
any eggs in there, is behavior normal?
Thanks,
Dan
<<Dan: The
Perculas are irritating the mushroom. That said, mushrooms are hardy and
there is probably no long term impact. Perculas will also host in a
Frogspawn, and Hammer Coral (members of the genus Euphyllia). Because
your clowns are the same size, it seems doubtful that they are breeding.
Females are usually larger than the males. They might like the cave
because it reminds them of the protection they would get from an
anemone. Many clowns that don't host tend to swim at the top of the tank
and sleep next to powerheads. I think its more natural that yours are
hanging out around the cave. Best of luck, Roy>>
Clownfish And Atlantic Flower Anemones? – 10/10/07
Hi-
<<Hello>>
I've had a species tank set up for a little while now with
live rock, sand, macroalgae, and mangroves.
<<Neat!>>
A week or so
ago I added 3 Florida rock flower anemones (each around 3-3.5").
<<Hmm, likely Epicystis crucifer...some I’ve seen are quite striking>>
A few days ago I got caught up in the purchase of a true percula
clownfish that I fell in love with over the weekend.
<<Mmm, you do
realize there are no Clownfish indigenous to the Atlantic Ocean?
He
seems happy in the tank- however, I'm wondering now if it's a bad idea
to keep him in this tank with these anemones. He is about 1-1.5" and
very healthy and active, but I don't want him to get stung and eaten if
he decides to play house with my hungry hungry hippos... er, anemones.
<<Ha!>>
Do I have reason for worry, or should he be okay?
<<Mmm,
hard to say. It is probably no riskier than placing Clownfishes with
Atlantic Condylactis Anemones...I have heard of the two taking up with
each other just fine...I have also heard tales of the Condy eating the
Clownfish...but what the percentages of one versus the other are I have
no idea. Soooo...I guess what I’m saying is, it’s a bit of a crapshoot
and the decision to play is up to you>>
Thanks,
V
<<Wish I
could give a more definitive answer. Regards, EricR>>
Missing Clownfish – Anemone in a New Tank – 9/24/07
Hello,
<Hello, Brenda here>
Your site has proven to be invaluable and I
have searched it for days just for fun. I am brand new to this so
bear with me. I have a 65 gallon tank with 62lbs of LR. I have 3
peppermint shrimp, 3 yellowtail blue damsels and 2 false percula
clownfish and 1 LTA.
<Your tank should be a minimum of 6 months
old for an anemone. One year old is best.>
Yesterday, after
ridding my tank of a couple seemingly destructive crabs, I noticed
one of my clownfish had mysteriously disappeared; mind you this was
in the middle of the day. I figured well maybe it didn’t like me
poking around and went hiding. After several hours it was still
missing. I looked behind the tank, behind the rocks and it is
nowhere to be found. The other clownfish was as normal as can be and
it seemed to care less about me poking around, didn’t even swim
away.
The damsels of course immediately go into hiding. When I
woke up today both clownfish were missing.
<Have you checked your
overflow box and sump? It may have died and your clean up crew may
have taken care of it. What are your water parameters? Were all of
your fish quarantined? Were the damsels being aggressive towards the
clownfish? >
At first I thought ALL the fish were gone because I
couldn’t find the damsels either until I moved the rock around. They
were hiding a little more effectively than usual. I am afraid there
is a very sneaky predator in my tank that I cannot identify.
<It
is possible.>
Do you have any ideas?
<Try looking at night
with a flashlight for predators.>
Now there are an unknown number
of crabs, maybe 2 starfish, a very small sea cucumber, and maybe 2
hermit crabs that hitch-hiked on the live rock when I bought it. Any
ideas, and how do I progress from here?
<Crabs have been known
to attack fish.>
I don’t want to add more fish knowing that there
is something out there. You don’t think it is the anemone do you?
<Not likely unless the clownfish were ill.>
Attached is a photo
of my tank, and the anemone.
<Hope this helps! Brenda> | 
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Yellow polyps + Percula clown? – 07/18/07
Hi there!
I have a
30g reef. 2 Percula clowns, one skunk cleaner, one small colony of
yellow polyps, and one small colony of green star polyps. Recently the
smaller of the two perculas has taken residence in the yellow polyps.
<Happens>
He has developed three black spots, and one of his eyes is
a little bit darker then the other. The bigger clown is perfectly fine.
Can the polyps be effecting him?
<Possibly, yes... and can/could
mal-affect the water quality period... Effect all more indirectly>
Parameters =
Ammonia=0
'trites=0
'trates=0-5
temp=78
salinity=1.025
phos=0
calcium=425-450
<Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/polypcompfaqs.htm
and the linked files above.
Bob Fenner>
Coral Host for Clown 7/17/07
Hi WWM,
<Hi Mike,
Mich here.>
I am looking to add a second fish to my system, since I
added my firefish a couple months ago. My tank is 36 gallons with a 5.5
gallon refugium underneath my tank, and with 45 pounds of live rock. I
was considering adding a Percula Clown, either orange or black. My tank
is not very suited for an? anemone, the lighting is T5HO and the tank is
7 months old.
<I would highly recommend avoiding an anemone. Your
system is much too small and these animals can be real problems in my
opinion. These lovely creatures really do best in a species tank with an
aquarist dedicated to their care.>
I have a trumpet coral, and some
mushrooms (frilly and hairy). What type of coral could the clown
possible host off of, or just use as a safe haven or home?
<There
really is no need for the clown to have a host in captivity. Some clowns
will host in other corals, but some clowns won't host in the anemone
they are supposed to host in. All depends on the individual fish. More
here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clownfis.htm >
I was looking to
put it on the opposite side of the tank, since my firefish has his rock
or hole he normally spends his time around, and I don't want any
aggression happening.
<I don't think you'll have problems here.>
Any suggestions
<Clowns will sometimes host in other corals, the
families Trachyphylliidae and Caryophylliidae are quite common, but
again this really is unessential in captivity.>
Thanks
<Welcome!
Mich>
Mike
Crab ID and Clown/Anemone Question – 07/03/07
Crew,
Sorry
to lump two different subjects in the same e-mail, but thought it
would save you some time.
I purchased 65lbs or live rock (50 lbs
Fiji/Marshall and 15lbs Florida) about 5 months ago. In the last
week or so, I noticed two crabs that hitchhiked in. My face is
pressed against the glass every night, so I'm really surprised I
haven't seen these crabs until recently (although my tank is 110g).
I have attached pictures. I'm pretty sure the first picture is of a
sponge crab, genus Schizophrys. It is pretty small and is covered
with pieces of orange sponge. The second two pictures are of the
same crab. It's hard to get a good shot of it, but it is pretty
small (maybe 1/2") and relatively flat with hairy legs. It's claws
are pretty small. I've searched the web and WWM but can't find a
picture that looks like either of these crabs. My closest guess on
the second is the Schizophrys aspera.
<Appears to be...>
Should I remove these?
<Mmm, not yet>
Currently, I don't have
much in the way of fishes or inverts. One gold banded maroon clown,
one BTA, two cleaner shrimp, a pretty good sized clean-up crew, and
a sailfin tang in QT. I intend to stick with smallish fish (but not
tiny) and some soft corals.
When I bought my clown, he was loving
life in a BTA. Since I've had him, though, he's spent much of his
life in a hospital tank while my display went fallow for 4+ weeks. I
recently introduced him back into the tank and he shows no interest
in my BTA.
<Takes time...>
My BTA is tucked under a rock at
the bottom of the tank, but definitely visible, flowing, calling out
to his friend, but the clown seems totally uninterested. I find this
strange since he was in a BTA when I purchased him. I would love for
them to have a hot, lovely relations. Do clowns find anemones by
scent, sight, some combination of the two, or none of the two?
<Good question... I don't know... perhaps a bit of both... It is
known that the fish DO communicate with the Anemones chemically>
Are clowns fickle, or can it take weeks or longer for the clown to
settle in and accept a BTA?
<I suspect both... plus a bit
autistic... have short memories...>
As always, your thoughts are
appreciated.
Andy
<Welcome. Bob Fenner> |
A suggested corr. <Hexacorallians of the World> 7/2/07
Dear
Bob,
Thanks for finding that! It is people like you who keep us
honest.
<Always glad to add my dos centavos>
Hexacorallians of the
World is built exclusively from the published literature -- nothing is
original with me except for what I have published.
<It is a wonderful
tool. I thank you for your efforts>
When I went into the guts of the
database to search for the source of this record (I employ
undergraduates, mostly, to enter data, and they sometimes select the
wrong name), I could not understand the logic of that particular part of
it. My systems administrator is on vacation at the moment -- as soon as
he returns I will track down the source of this record and get back to
you on it (and correct it if it does not accurately reflect the
publication).
Sincerely,
Daphne
<Real good... BTW, do you
collect corrections to you and (Gerald) Allen's
"Clownfish and
Anemone" tome? There are a sprinkling of errors,
disagreements for
instance with the posted known symbionts there and your
URL. Cheers,
Bob Fenner, WetWebMedia>
Daphne G. Fautin
Professor, Ecology and
Evolutionary Biology
Curator, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity
Research Center
University of Kansas
website
www.nhm.ku.edu/~inverts
Suitable clown – 06/28/07
Hi,
In my 130 gallon tank, among
others, I've kept a pair of Ocellaris and E. quadricolor for over 2
months, but Ocellaris would not host the anemone.
<Happens... maybe
later>
So I've been thinking of adding another clown that would be
more likely to host the anemone.
<... better not to mix clown
species...>
Which clown would you recommend for that? (after reading
those comments on FAQ, I am afraid to buy the readily available
Clarkii's and Tomato's)
Thanks,
Andrius
<Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm
See the chart re naturally occurring relations? These are better bets.
And read the linked files above re Clownfish and Anemones.
Bob
Fenner> Will a
Clown Host in Button Polyps? Maybe 06/08/2007
Dear Crew
<Hello
Tuscan, Mich with you tonight.>
First let me start by saying how much
you have helped me with my freshwater tanks. Without your wonderful
website I don't know where I'd be.
<Glad you have enjoyed the
website and found it helpful.>
I was hoping for your advice with a
question that I have concerning a saltwater tank. I am hoping to start a
20 gal. long saltwater aquarium with a pair of tank bred ocellaris
clowns, 2 skunk cleaner shrimp, and possibly 1 tank bred neon goby. I
realize that clownfish don't need a host anemone but I would still like
to see them hosting something. I also realize that anemones are
difficult to keep for even an expert so I was thinking I would get a
coral instead. I have read "Clownfishes" by Joyce Wilkerson and was
ready to choose frogspawn as a surrogate host but then I walked past
some button polyps and became increasingly interested in them, but I
have been unable to find any information on clownfish hosting them. My
question is simple, would a tank bred ocellaris clownfish host button
polyps or should I get frogspawn instead?
<A difficult question to
answer. Kind of like offering a hungry vegetarian a steak or lobster
dinner, you never really know what they might pick or the meal may be
outright refused. My guess is the clown would be more likely to host in
the frogspawn. But if you really like the button polyps give it a try.
You might get lucky. In the same respect some clowns don't host in
captivity, so even if you placed the frogspawn or anemone for that
matter, it doesn't mean the clown will form a symbiotic relation with
it. It is hit or miss, even more so with captive bred clowns as many
have not observed this behavior.>
Sorry for such a long letter and
thank you for your input.
<No worries! Hope this helps. Mich>
Sincerely, Tuscan Thompson
Re: Tank Upgrade, Critter ID and Clownfish Question.
5/24/07
Hi Justin and all at WetWebMedia its Ben here from the UK, I hope
you have had a good Easter and haven't eaten too many chocolate
eggs.
<I didn't even get one!>
Am not sure if you recall me
saying that I am looking to upgrade my 45litre tank to a 3ft
100litre tank at the end of the month and after looking at the FAQs
about upgrading I thought I would just run past you how I plan to
make the change. I think I am going to set the new tank up in its
new space and fill it up with about 60 litres of bought salt water
and leave it overnight to warm the water to as close to the main
tank as possible. How does this sound so far?
<I would actually
first fill it with freshwater only... to test for leaks, levelness,
hook up all the gear, make sure it's functional... leave this go a
day or two...>
My next question is in regards to substrate. I
currently have 20lbs of CaribSea live sand in my main tank and am
wondering if it is worth buying another pack of the same sand to
place in the new tank or should I just buy plain marine sand and
then seed it with the established substrate?
<Either one...>
How much would I need to add to the new tank?
<Posted... read
here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/setup/index.htm
scroll
down to the greenish line... on Marine Substrates>
Once the
water in the new tank is at the same temperature as the main tank I
intend to start adding water from the old tank to fill it up, before
doing this would it be best to add all of the live rock or is it
best to fill the water up and then add everything all at once?
<... also posted... Please learn to/use the indices, search tool>
My LFS has said that it is best to add everything all at once, they
have also recommended that I purchase SeaChem stability and SeaChem
prime to add to the new tank for the first few days, does this seem
ok?
<Sure>
Once everything has been added to the new tank I
would like to purchase more live rock, I think I will gradually add
1 small piece every 1-2weeks just so that it will hopefully keep any
spikes to a minimum.
I think those are the only questions that I
have regarding the tank move, if I have missed anything important
out please let me know.
<Just reading... there is much
ancillary/related material you will encounter by investigating
thus.>
I feel I should mention that I am going to be using the
same AquaMedic BioStar flotor from the main tank so hopefully the
bacteria will still be present.
My next subject (sorry about
this) is in regards to a naming a creature that I have found on my
live rock, Am not sure if you remember me saying about this creature
in my first emails (it resided directly below my leather toadstool)
I have hopefully attached a picture of it for your perusal, at
present it does not seem to be causing a problem, am fact I quite
like the little guy, under actinics the tentacles? fluoresce a nice
green colour.
<Mmm, looks to me like a Zoanthid>
Lastly I
have one other question for my own interest really, its nothing
serious its quite amusing I think, have you ever known a clownfish
to host a feather duster?
<Yes>
As mine has decided that he
likes to sleep and wriggle inside the head of my white feather
duster, he loves it. Is there an explanation for this behaviour or
do I just have a really friendly clownfish :). Again I have attached
some photos for you to see.
<Are close symbionts in the wild...
or consumed... with Actinarians... look for substitutes in
captivity>
I thank you again for all of the help that you have
given me over the last 6 months and I hope you can help again.
All the best to you all
Ben Sandford
<Be chatting,
reading... Bob Fenner> |  
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Clownfish disease - Brook? 5/12/07
Hi Bob,
<Kari>
I got a new pair of true perc clownfish last Thursday (5/4/07).
<... these appear to be wild-caught (as opposed to tank bred and
reared) specimens...>
On the following Tuesday (5/8/07), I
noticed the male has this strange lesion on the upper half of his
body (see photos attached). He was swimming, eating, and breathing
fine though. I wasn't sure what it was (could be a sting from the
frogspawn they hosted to?
<Yes>
Could the female be nipping
him?
<Not likely from this appearance>
Could be a disease?).
I thought I'd wait to see if conditions worsened.
<Maybe>
Today, Friday (5/11/07), I noticed the female had 3 spots on her as
well.
See attached photos. However, they are both still
swimming, acting, breathing, and eating normally.
<For now>
I'm concerned it is Brooklynellosis, but from what I read, it sounds
like if it was, the fish would be breathing hard, lethargic, and the
male would be dead (or close to it) since its been 3 days.
<Sometimes takes a while to "take hold">
I had a hard time
finding photos online of various marine diseases. Does this look
like anything to you?
<Does appear these two are "breaking
down"... not able to discern if this is subsequent from
capture/holding/shipping, the interaction you mention with the
Euphylliid in your tank (likely), or parasitic at this point>
The areas in question are white, swollen (or bumpy), and sometimes
have a stringer coming out of it (looks like flesh).
Thanks!
Kari
<... Am in the process of re-sorting the 15 Clownfish
Disease FAQs files... into quite a few categories... for ease of
review by browsers... First, you are to be admonished for buying
non-captive produced stock here, secondly... no quarantine? (You'll
learn, are learning), lastly, a referral to WWM:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clndisfaqs.htm
and the linked
files above, so you can make up your own mind re how to proceed
here. Bob Fenner> | Re:
Clownfish disease - Brook? 5/13/07
Thanks for getting
back to me.
<Welcome>
You mentioned below that this
might likely be an interaction with the Euphylliid in our tank
(the frogspawn they are "hosting" to). This morning I woke up
and the female now has torn pectoral and the back half of her
caudal fin is really thin and has a hole in it (see attached). I
am beginning to think this might be a bacterial infection
<Rare as first order courses of disease...>
instead of
Brook, or could this still be a result of the frogspawn?
<Oh
yes. Associations with "usual" Actinarian hosts as well as other
cnidarians takes some time, effort to develop... the Euphylliid
is very likely stinging, burning the heck out of the clowns
presently>
They are still acting normal, for now.
The
LFS I bought from said they quarantine their fish for 2 weeks.
Sigh. I know now not to trust and always best to do it myself.
<Yes>
I will set up a hospital tank today. I still can't
tell though if I should treat for Brook w/ formalin or with an
antibiotic though. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
Kari
<I would not "treat" with
formalin... but might try the/an antibiotic. Do be aware (and
test for nitrogenous accumulation) of the disposition for these
to subtend nitrification. Bob Fenner> |  
|
Maroon Clownfish Beating up LTA – 5/6/07
Well I have a 36 gal
that is my second tank. It houses a Maroon Clown 2 years old, a large
long tentacle anemone, (home to the clown), And a banded coral
shrimp. Nitrite, nitrate, ammonia are all at zero. PH 8.3, Salinity
1.023.
<Salinity is a bit low for an anemone. I recommend gradually
bringing it up to 1.026.>
Well the last few times I have done water
changes afterward the clown gets crazy and starts ramming the anemone
all over the tank and into the live rock.
<Ouch!>
The anemone
will close up and turn a sort of green color and he just doesn’t look
good.
<I can imagine.>
Eventually this will cease but it seams
like the clown is getting worse and worse each time. My question is, is
this normal or is he going to kill my anemone soon?
<Quite
possible! Maroons are well known for abusing an anemone. It is
recommended that the anemone be at least 3 times larger than the
clownfish. How long have you had the anemone? Is it healthy? I
suggest separating the anemone from the clownfish until it gets much
larger. I would also increase the feedings to get it to grow faster.>
Please help.
Thanks for a great page
<You’re
welcome! Brenda> Can a clownfish be too big for an anemone?
Yes. – 4/28/07
I recently purchased a RBTA <Rose Bubble Tip
Anemone?> that is about the size of a golf ball. It appears to be doing
well in my tank, and my very small F.P. <False Percula?> clown has taken
up residence. I also have a larger G.M. <can’t figure this one out –
something Maroon?> clown (approx 1 1/2"-1 3/4") in my tank. The G.M.
clown (Cletus) has never been aggressive to the F.P. clown (no name),
and even allows him to be the main resident of the anemone. Cletus does
however feel the need to at least visit the anemone every time he swims
by. He will lay down in it or "wallow around" for a minute or two and
then leave. He is about the same size as the anemone head, and the term
"bull in a china cabinet" is fitting. Is this damaging to the anemone?
<Yes, this can be damaging.>
How can I tell if the anemone is being
stressed?
<If it does not fully extend as normal, or does not
continue to appear to do well. You may need to separate them until the
anemone grow more and has a chance to settle in.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marclnbehfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/btadisfaq2.htm
Also, please don’t
abbreviate except for easily recognized terms, or at least spell it out
once. I still can’t figure out what a G.M. clown is.
Cheers, Alex>
Anemones and Clown Fish.. host/symbiont def.s 3/16/2007
Bob and Crew,
Not a question, more of a comment brought on by my
ADD. In the Clown Fish/Anemone Relationship, the Anemone is the Host
and the Clown Fish is the symbiont. It just drive me crazy to read that
"My Clown Hosted the BTA".
Thanks for letting me vent
Roy
<Heeeee! Okay! BobF> Clown fish Digging to China –
03/09/07
I did a Search of the data base, and saw very little
mention of my problem.
<Hello, Brandon here tonight.>
I have a
yellow striped maroon clown, and a BTA in a 125g tank.<Hope you matched
the clown to the anemone.> I have 5 inches of sand, and the tank is
reef on right and reef on left, open in the middle. <Sounds like a nice
set up.> This is where the clown and BTA occupy. My problem is, the
clown has dug a hole, to the bottom of the tank (Glass), and keeps
pushing the BTA into the hole. <If you want to keep the anemone you
need to take the clown out pronto.> I'm not sure if the BTA is happy
there, <They like to go where they want, without an over amorous Clown
Fish shoving them to and fro.> and if he wasn't, it would be hard for
him to move to a spot he likes better, due to the Clown pushing him to
and fro. <Yes it would be.>
Is this normal behavior? <Not really,
it does happen in aquariums though.> If I add a male clown of a smaller
size (the one I have now looks to be female (larger and dark maroon)),
would that pre-occupy her?<No, please see above, Re: Get the Clown out
now.>
Can I place large base rock under the BTA? or from your
experience, would the clown just push the BTA to another sandy
spot? <Take the Clown out, and give the BTA a chance to settle down
where it likes. After a few weeks, try reintroducing the Clown. If it
is still harassing the BTA, then take the Clown back to the store, and
try another one, or move the clown to a separate tank, and enjoy your
Clown less Anemone. The truth is, in captivity Clown Fish tend to do
more harm than good.>
Hope you have a suggestion.
<Please see
above. Brandon.>
Scotty
SICK maroon clown, please help. 2/23/07
Hello:
<Hi
there>
I just realized both of my maroon clown fishes are sick.
They eat ok and all, but there are white stuff growing on them. It
is not ICK. I have ick in the tank, but that is not what this is. I
have photo of their spots. The spots only appears under the pectoral
fin. If the fishes hold the pect fin to their body, you will not see
anything.
<Appears to be a "reaction" to something... your pix
are very blurry... but this looks like aggregated "slime"... from...
toxicity due to?>
There are 2 other fishes in that same
tank, but they are not showing those spots at all.
The white
spots are too big to be ick. It almost look like the spot came from
underneath their skin.
<Yes>
If you have seen this, please
help.
Yili
<Have you put chemicals of some sort in this
system? Bob Fenner> | Re:
SICK maroon clown, please help.... and host beh. 2/24/07
I really appreciate the answer. I am not very good at taking
photos, those 2 pictures were the best of the 40+ pics I took.
<Mmm, take a read through the manual you got with the camera...
I carry mine along on trips... and am continuously surprised
(and delighted) to learn here>
I have not added any chemical
in the water at all. The only change in that tank is the
removal of their RBTA.
<Ahh!>
The light was not good for
the anemone in that tank and I moved it to my other tank. I put
a trumpet coral in there. The clowns are hosting in it,
<Another ahhhh!>
I was wondering if that is what's bothering
them.
<Very likely so... one, the two "blame" each other for
the loss of "their" Entacmaea... next, a more toxic substitute
is working them woe...>
I will observe them for a couple of
days, I started to soak their food in garlic juice.
<... not
efficacious>
If things look worse, I will get them out and
medicate them. I have the medication called proze pro,
<Prazi... also not useful here>
I think if what ills them is
parasitic or fungi in nature, the meds will heal them. Have a
nice day. Yili
<I'd move one or both to wherever the RBTA
is, or fix the previous system and return it to them... Bob
Fenner> | 
|
Clownfish No Need for Anemone. - 02/21/07
Hello I am a 15
year old just starting my own tank.
<Hi Ryan, welcome to the briny
world, Mich here with you.>
It’s a 29-gallon salt-water tank. I
successfully cycled the tank with 5 pieces of live rock getting plenty
of growth. I also have 4 hermit crabs and two snails. I just picked up a
Chromis and a yellow belly damsel at the LFS this weekend and they seem
to be doing great. If these two stay healthy for another week or so I
would like to purchase another fish. Which FINALLY brings me to my
question. I have read up on clown fish and would like to get one for my
tank. But as this being my first tank I would like to steer away from
the anemone.
<I think you are most wise here my young friend. These
creatures can cause many a problem.>
My question is will the clown
fish still be content/happy in this tank without an anemone.
<Most
certainly. There is no need for an anemone.>
The only reason I ask
is because I don't want to have a stressed out fish because it doesn't
have proper living situations in my tank.
<Many clownfish are
captive breed, meaning they have never lived in the wild and most likely
have never seen an anemone. This would be an excellent choice for your
tank and should be relatively easy to find.>
Thanks
again.
<You're welcome! -Mich>
-Ryan Re: Clownfish No
Need for Anemone. 2/22/07
<Hi Ryan, Mich here.>
Thank you very much, and to be honest I was hoping that was your answer
because I really want a clown. :]
<You're welcome!>
Sorry to nag
but just one more question, for the two fish in my tank currently I am
feeding them brine shrimp and some pellets brine at night pellets in the
morning. Anyways both foods tell me to feed them at least 3 times a day.
Is this like the "rise and repeat" on the back of the shampoo bottles,
or is 3 daily feedings really necessary?
<Depends on the fish, not
the food. I would recommend something besides brine shrimp, which isn't
very nutritious. Many like New Life Spectrum brand food, some folks
even make their own food! But as a general rule small frequent feedings
are preferred to large single feedings. Three times a day is not
unreasonable, just use a very small quantity. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feeding.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i3/Progressive_Recipe/Progressive_Recipe.htm >
Thanks again and sorry to be such a nag.
<No worries, not a nag,>
Ryan
<Cheers! -Mich> Double anemone hosting
2/19/07
Hi WWM Crew!
I have been using your site for a
while since i am fairly new to the hobby, but i have one question that i
can't find an answer to on this site. I have a rose BTA and just a
regular brown BTA. i just barely got what the LFS said was a mated pair
of Maroon Clowns. They are gorgeous! Well, after one day, the female
started snooping around in the Rose BTA and after about 10 minutes just
fell in love with it!
Then she let the male in and they
were so cute hosting together in the Rose BTA. Well, the next day I woke
up and everything was cool, i went to work and came back, and the Rose
BTA was a shriveled up from going to the bathroom, and they were hosting
the other regular brown BTA. I thought to myself, oh how cool! They are
hosting both anemones! i thought that they might get into some sort of
cycle and go from one to the other, but when the Rose BTA bubbled up
again she couldn't make up her mind, she went back and forth and just
went from one to the other. It looks like she finally decided on the
regular brown BTA, since i think that its a little bigger and she fits
more inside of it, but now the male wont host in it with her, he hosts
the Rose BTA by himself! Is this bad? Will they still like each other
and maybe some day have babies? Or will they avoid each other and
just host their own anemone's? Also, i just set up a new 175 gallon
reef tank, i have a sump and lots of Rios going through making
good current, its been a week cycling, i put in some bio-Spira, about
100 pounds of cured live rock, some rubble from another well
established decease free tank, and some water from the same tank. I have
a current lighting system with three 150 watt metal halides and
those other fluorescent lights. About three days after adding the
water, gravel and live rock, i came home one day to find that half of
the live rock and the top of the sand was all covered in this brown/
maroon covered algae! it was everywhere! what is this stuff? how do
i get rid of it? I think that its a type of algae, will it go
away, turn into another type of algae? or is this just part of cycling?
My ammonia after one week tests 0 ppm, nitrites are 0 ppm and
nitrates are about 15 ppm and ph is about 8.2- 8.4. Any help would be
greatly appreciated! Thank you so much for your help!
Chris.
<<Chris: I have 2 species of clowns that regularly move back and forth
between 3 anemones. Usually, however, each clown has its favorite
anemone to sleep in. If they have mated in the past, they are likely to
mate again. If you want to learn more about breeding Clowns, take a
look at these WWM pages
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clnfshbrdfaqs.htm I suggest you consider
buying Clownfishes by Joyce D Wilkerson.
Regarding your new 175
tank, the brown stuff is most likely diatoms and the reddish stuff is
most like Cyano algae. Both are common in new tanks. As your water
parameters stabilize, they should minimize. Cyano tends to build up in
areas of low flow. If you haven't added one already, you should now
consider getting a cleanup crew for the tank. I mostly use different
types of snails and Asterina starfish. Best of luck, Roy>>
Clown Hosting 2/14/07
Hi
<Hello.>
First let
me say I love your site and I have found some very useful info there.
<Great.>
I recently was given some new fish to add to my tank, one
of which is a beautiful maroon clownfish. My question is I wanted to get
a bubble-tipped anemone for him. What is the best way to introduce the
two? If I buy one will the fish just naturally go to it?
Thank you for your help!
<There are no guarantees that the animal
will take to the anemone, especially if it one that was reared in
captivity. Only time...patience will tell.>
Egan Koenig
<Adam
J.>
Clownfish in danger? 2/12/07
Hello Crew,
<Lisa>
I
have a specific issue (by way of a story) that I would like to
present to Bob Fenner (if possible) who had addressed the member
below (I cut and pasted his email as a reference so allow me to
apologize ahead of time for such a lengthy message). By the way,
Bob, for Valentine's Day my husband is gifting me your book, which I
requested months ago.
<Heeee! How romantic!>
I cannot wait
to read it cover to cover......
<Am sure you will enjoy, gain by
its perusal>
Anyway, I had an unfortunate incident with a small
Puffer Fish munching on and subsequently killing my big, beautiful
Long Tentacle Anemone.
<Yikes... happens all too often... twixt
Puffers, Actinarians>
My Seabay Clown, Sassy, has had several
small LTA's and one Seabay Anemone who all eventually passed due to
poor quality lighting.
<Ditto>
After investing heavily in a
really nice metal halide set-up I felt secure to purchase the lovely
LTA (the poor creatures demise already stated). When I removed the
poor, dead, slimy thing my devastated Seabay was still clinging to
it and had to be flicked away with my finger. She then went into a
phase of grieving that made it the third saddest animal/death
incident I have ever witnessed (the first two not fish
related). Sassy started to wildly circle the area where the LTA had
been rooted. She then started to nuzzle into the crushed coral as
though it was still there. Thinking of a distraction I decided to
feed her and the rest of the tank. The poor clown was grabbing up
the food, not eating any of it, but rather dropping it off to one of
the my cleaner shrimp. She then started to nuzzle up against the
same shrimp (which, of course was thrilling to the shrimp, but sad
to witness nevertheless). I had never seen her respond this way to
any of the other anemone deaths and felt that this fish was
sufficiently stressed and that I needed to take some action. I
went immediately to my LFS to see if they had any new long tentacle
anemones. They only had a small one that didn't look too healthy
and I wasn't going to see another LTA turn to mush in my
tank! However, the ATLANTIC Anemone looked marvelous and for only
ten dollars I thought it was worth an experiment.
<Mmm...
well... can work>
After all, the poor Seabay is feeding and
rubbing up against a shrimp!.....So I purchased the Atlantic
Anemone. Upon placing it in the tank Sassy swam up right away,
circling it and defensively chasing off the other fish. When I put
food in the tank she also fed it. I thought she was going to dive
in but she only hovered over, taking little nips at the ends of the
tentacles then quickly swimming off. She then started picking up
small pieces of crushed coral from the base of the creature in her
mouth and carrying it in a circle around a big piece of live rock,
then dropping it down next to the Anemone exactly where she had
picked it up. She began fanning away crushed coral from its base in
quick swishing motions of her tail (exactly what she did for the
previous creature). She almost dove in a few times and then
stopped.
<Yes... there is a sort of known, "fixed action
pattern" for Amphiprionines/Clowns "getting acquainted" with
intended host Anemones>
I observed that she was rather obsessed
with the thing and thought it would be interesting to see how the
drama unfolded over the next several days. I had read that the
clown fish can sometimes be fooled into crossing over to the
different species and thought that this might happen with my very
needy fish. Sure enough, when I looked in the tank after "lights
out" Sassy was snuggled into her new companion. Several weeks
later, the two seem to be inseparable, although I notice at night,
she sleeps next to it, not actually in it. All that being said, I
felt very disturbed (and moved to write in) after reading the trials
of Randy (below). Bob, you seem to be in agreement so here's my
question..... Did I just "luck out" with the pairing of these two or
will this relationship (at some point) turn ugly?
<Not likely to
turn... but become more firmly established>
Also, I don't
actually know if this Atlantic Anemone is a Condylactis. Could it
be a different, more harmless species that I need not worry
about? Please give me your thoughts.
Thanks, Lisa
<Would
like to see a photo before rendering an opinion... Thank you for
sharing. Bob Fenner>
Condylactis and Captive Clowns
Greetings Bob, Anthony and crew.
I am writing not with a
question, but to share some observations I have made regarding
captive born clowns and Condylactis anemones. I am hoping to clear
some confusion some readers might have about the notion that captive
bred clownfish will take on almost anything as a host, and that
Condylactis being cheap and easy to care for would make a good host.
<I have stated... many times... a few decades back that this mix
(though it can happen in captivity) is ill-warranted... and often
leads to trouble (as in ingestion of the Clowns, death of the
anemone)>
In general, Condylactis do not host clownfish. In
aquariums, Condylactis anemones can be a threat to clownfish.
Clownfish can be an equal threat to Condylactis anemones. I have
attempted to keep two separate Condylactis anemones with my captive
reared maroon clown, with the same results each time... a dead
anemone. (Resist the urge to comment here and read on.)
<Oops,
okay>
I have witnessed my maroon clown take each anemone as a
surrogate, a somewhat commonplace among captive clowns from what my
research shows. In close observation of this relationship, it is
easy to see that this is by no means a symbiotic affair. My
clownfish eager for a safe host, instantly warms up to the
Condylactis. The Condylactis however, shows no shared emotions for
the clown. The anemone withdrawals tentacles touched by the clown,
and exhibits a general dislike of the clowns affection. Over the
course of a few days my clown becomes aggravated and forceful toward
the anemone. The anemone responds to the pushing and poking by
becoming more withdrawn, closing up for hours. The clown persists on
any given chance that the anemone is open. After a few days I find a
limp, deflated Condylactis with a torn foot on the bottom of my
tank. This is the second time this has happened to me. The first
time the anemone was torn closer to the outside ring of tentacles. I
would like to note that in both instances the anemones were on live
rock surfaces that may have had sharp areas, so I am sure that the
clown did not bite or otherwise intentionally kill the anemone. The
tear wounds were rather long unlike a fish bite or a hermit claw,
and consistent with having been rubbed against a somewhat sharp
surface. I theorize that some Condylactis may take a kill or be
killed attitude towards this abuse, and this could explain the
reports of clownfish being eaten by Condylactis anemones. After my
experiences I would have to disagree with Joyce Wilkerson's
suggestion that a Condylactis may be an acceptable surrogate for
Clownfishes. If readers must witness fish swimming through their
Condylactis anemone without being devoured, I suggest they ignore
clownfish altogether and go for a diamond blenny.
Otherwise,
forget keeping the Condylactis and get a tank raised bubble tip.
That is assuming of course one has the proper equipment to care for
it. If anyone disbelieves what I have observed, I am sure I can
repeat this behavior and document it, though I would rather not risk
another anemone. To sum it all up, Condylactis + Clownfish = Bad
Idea. Readers be warned. -Randy
<Thank you for your input. Bob
Fenner> |
Re: Clownfish in danger? attention Bob Fenner 2/12/07
Hello Bob,
I attached a photo of the Atlantic Anemone (hope
this file size is not too big/small. If the size is
unacceptable please let me know and I will resize and
resend). So? Condylactis or other?
<Is a Condy>
Thanks
for putting my mind at ease!
<Welcome... the example, old
FAQ you sent was re a Maroon/Premnas... much more "mean"...>
Lisa
BTW - Gifting of any aquarium items for Valentine's Day
is VERY romantic (according this fish crazy person, anyway!)
<Ahhh! BobF> | 
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