Are my clownfish "special?"

[flasher1]

My clownfish host the corner of my tank instead of there awesome new (some people say its bleached) turqoise carpet anemone.

I had a perfectly healthy rbta in there before and they still preferred the corner of the tank...even after 6 months.

Anyone have any tricks up there sleeves to force them to host? I am about 10 minutes from throwing the anemone and the clownfish into 1 gallon of water and forcing them to get acquainted.

[criccio]

It's not recommended to 'force' any clown into an anemone. If their protective coat isn't developed the anemone could sting, kill, or eat them.

[Slakker]

It's also a good idea to make sure your clowns leave that anemone alone until it recovers its zooxanthellae. Hosting clowns can sometimes kill a bleached anemone.

Give it time...you need to be patient. The only things that happen quickly in this hobby are mistakes.

[Aaarrrggg]

Once your anem has recovered/settled you could try placing one of those clownfish shaped clips near it. I've heard that can tempt the clowns over for a closer look. I can't say for sure though, I've never had an anemone...(just reached the 6mth mark though so that could change soon!!)

Good luck!

[55semireef]

I am assuming you have Ocellaris or Percula clownfish right?

[heap]

[55semireef]

umm...okay...

[flasher1]

heap - thanks, that is what i meant by special.

They are wild caught perculas from australia (possibly onyx, would have to wait till the later stages of growth to tell you for sure) so the fact that they are hosting the corner of my tank over an anemone is what I meant by special

[Slakker]

You have yet to provide them with an anemone they naturally host. They're not doing anything that would require them to wear a helmet.

Like I said, you need to be patient. Be glad they're not hosting your anemone, because until it recovers they would likely kill it.

[z_rivers]

Its ok heap i thought it was funny.

[cook]

They should host the carpet over the bta. Time is all you need. I usually feed the anem whever the clown eats and usually they will come over to check things out.

[ahullsb]

When you think your anem is reading for them to host, you can try what I did. My fish tended to swim in the same place every night. So with a net or my hand I would nudge them along until they were near the anemome. They hadn't been interested in it for weeks, but after a few days of that they loved it. But like the above posts state, don't force the fish into the anemone, and try not to stress them that much. I was as careful I could be with them.

[JJ21]

Originally posted by heap

omg that's great, roflmao

[BristlewormKing]

ROFLMAO.....my mother-in-law is visiting and walked by and saw that pic. She asked "How did they get that helmet on him?" ROFLMAO - and that is why we NEVER ask her to feed the fish when we go on vacation!