Clowns won't host anemone?

Geofrog · #1 08-09-2006, 03:28 PM

I just got a BTA and my two ocellaris avoid it like the plague. It's been in there for 5 days, just wondering if the clowns will ever host with the anemone.

OCDP · #2 08-09-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geofrog

I just got a BTA and my two ocellaris avoid it like the plague. It's been in there for 5 days, just wondering if the clowns will ever host with the anemone.

There is no yes or no answer to this question really. Having said that, Ocellaris clownfish are not a natural host to E. Quadricolor (BTA) [or , the other way around, whatever..

]

The clowns will take to it if they want to or not, that's basically all there is to it. Just takes time for them to really "notice" it, ie: brushing up against it, or something to that effect. If your clowns are tank bred, it may be even more of a challenge to have them host in an anemone (atl east in my experience) .

Sorry there is no yes or no answer here, it just takes time...

muck · #3 08-09-2006, 03:41 PM

maybe you got an ugly one..?

Sometime it takes clowns awhile before they will find it or try to host in it. Sometimes they never will. Its never a given being that a BTA is not its natural host in the wild.

Chin_Lee · #4 08-09-2006, 04:15 PM

it took two years for my clowns to host...... patience little grasshopper.

cav~firez22 · #5 08-09-2006, 04:17 PM

Ya, i had the same issue. it took 3 months of the anenomie being in the tank, before 1 clown would touch it. Now, they are never out of it. i was kinda disapointed at first when they wouldnt take to it. but now its great. just took time.

Geofrog · #6 08-09-2006, 04:19 PM

Did a google search of the anemone, it is actually a H. crispa. I was told at the LFS that it would host my ocellaris. Is this true? Also just wondering if my lighting is sufficient for it (2X96Watt 10,000K and 2X96Watt Actinic).

seashells · #7 08-09-2006, 04:22 PM

We have a Maroon Clown that is hosting in a Purple Condi...Quite a color combo.HEHE

OCDP · #8 08-09-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geofrog

Did a google search of the anemone, it is actually a H. crispa. I was told at the LFS that it would host my ocellaris. Is this true? Also just wondering if my lighting is sufficient for it (2X96Watt 10,000K and 2X96Watt Actinic).

Hmm,, well H. Crispa is quite a bit harder to care for than E. Quadricolor. The LFS is correct in saying the clowns will host the anemone. This is a natural host in the wild... but are your clowns tank bred, or wild caught? If they are tank bred, it may take a little longer, depending...

Your lighting is not sufficient for this species unfortunately. H. Crispa really should have metal halide lighting. I don't think it will thrive in that tank.... what size tank is it in by the way??

Geofrog · #9 08-09-2006, 04:32 PM

1. Clowns are tank raised.
2. Tank size is 95gal.

I do have a 1000Watt 14,000K MH buld and socket but no ballast. Trying to find a ballast for it. How long can I keep the anemone under the PCs before it's a goner. The anemone is ~6" across.

OCDP · #10 08-09-2006, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geofrog

1. Clowns are tank raised.
2. Tank size is 95gal.

I do have a 1000Watt 14,000K MH buld and socket but no ballast. Trying to find a ballast for it. How long can I keep the anemone under the PCs before it's a goner. The anemone is ~6" across.

Yeah, tank raised clowns will take a little longer (whose to say how long) to start hosting.. they aren't wild caught so they aren't as familiar. They all have the same hosting instincts though.. I am sure they will host it, just give it time.

95g with the PC lighting for the Sebae (H. Crispa) won't be enough I'm afraid. 1000w MH is going to cook everything in your tank. I think the higest wattage used is 400w MH.

I don't think its a question of how long will it last ... it will slowly decline in health and start bleaching, and losing zooaxenthelle (i wont even bother trying to spell it correctly) .. By the time it's all said and done , it will bleach out and once they start to bleach they are hard to save... so I would just get it under MH's ASAP .

Good luck, sorry for all the bad news

. But better you know than have it die and so on...