Ocellaris Clowns and a BTA

[jmc1024]

Hello all,
I have 2 Ocellaris Clowns and just introduced a BTA hoping that he'd host the clowns. Had them in my 65 gallon tank for over a week and the clowns never went over. I put both clowns and the bta in my sump. They are all in a 12" x 12" chamber in the sump hoping that the close chambers would allow them to bond. However, they'll swim around and check out the bta but that's about it. It's only been a day but I thought that they'd gravitate towards the bta more quickly. Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks
Jay

 

[theMeat]

Now that you took them out of the display they may chose another fav spot when you put them back. After a few days they'll know and so will you. Put the nem in that spot with them.

 

[jmc1024]

The Nem is attached to a large rock that I'm going to have to put back where I took it from. Kind of hoping that they'd pair in my sump. They are in the refugium chamber so not really being bothered by equipment. Was thinking of leaving them for a day or two. Any thoughts?

 

[theMeat]

There's no guarantee they willl stay with the nem once back in the display. If once you figure their fav spot you can put the rock with the nem close that may be enough. Or you could slowly and gently take the nem off the rock using an air pump with soft hose attached. Blow the bubbles at the foot where it's attached to rock. That's not always easy, can take some time. Even if close to their spot it could take weeks for them to pair. If it's not close it could take months or not happen at all.

 

[jmc1024]

Yeah that was def a prob, when in the display the nem was far from the clowns favorite spot. Think I should put them back or see if they bond with nem?

 

[theMeat]

Put them back. Put the nem back first, as close to their old spot as possible is what i'd do. Maybe get lucky, give it a few weeks

 

[jmc1024]

The prob with that is to do that I'd have to move a lot of rocks around. But I'll def keep it in mind thanks.

 

[theMeat]

yup...
another thing you could try, which also involves getting the nem off the rock, is floating them in a bag together. Have seen this work often, just keep an eye because althou not likely, with clowns that aren't adapted it could go badly.

 

[jmc1024]

Thanks!! I moved some stuff around and put them all back. Now the bta is close to where clowns like to hang. Hope he stays there. It's funny every time I move something around I seem to like it a bit more. LOL Thanks for your advice.

 

[theMeat]

Cool
Don't know how many fish you have or how agresive feeding time is, but it could help if you take some food and squirt it into/near the nem to get the clowns to go closer. But mostly, usually, it just takes time. One day you come home and walah.

 

[jmc1024]

I only have 5 in the tank not aggressive. I'll give that a try.

 

[jeev14]

this worked for me. My clowns were hosting within a few hours

https://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/reefs-beginners/186616-got-my-clownfish-host-anemone.html