Substitute Hosts for clown fish

[Lady Godiva]

I am currently setting up a 20 gallon tank in my office at work and would like to offer this as a home to a clown fish.

I really enjoy watching them interact with their host anemone, but, the system I have chosen is not conducive to maintaining an anemone. I don't want to keep a clown if I can't provide an comfortable host for him.

I am curious what other types of beings any of you have seen a clown fish take as a host? What about a toadstool leather?

Are there any types of anemone that can thrive in med-low light?

Karen

 

[Anonymous]

FWIW clowns can do just fine in an aquarium without a host.

As far as alternate hosts, the ones I know of would need good lighting also, but maybe someone else can offer a low-light suggestion. Also, some corals don't like being buffeted by a clown that has "adopted" them.

 

[Anonymous]

My clown hangs out in frogspawn, toadstool leather then the polyps are extended and loves a small branch hammer.

 

[Anonymous]

lots of clowns will adopt almost anything that isn't (chemically)antagonistic (read-wrong kind of 'sting')-'shrooms,star polyp,colt coral,fungia(plate),bubble,and plastic plants-it seems that all you need is anything with either a stalk, or tentacle structure that moves slightly...

 

[Palmetto]

I have a maroon clown that alternates between severely irritating my Caulastrea (Trumpet) and rolling in a large colony of Star Polyps. The trumpet wears down a bit, but the GSPs don't seem to mind.

 

[Reefguide]

My first clown seemed to love my torch and later for some reason moved on to my Aveopra. Added a second clown and both of them share the Aveopora and they do very well.

I do remember reading in Clownfishes : A Guide to Their Captive Care, Breeding, & Natural History by Joyce D. Wilkerson that Goneopora and Aveopora do not make good substitutes for Anemones. Can't remember what she sugested, but I'll post later tonight from home after taking a peek at the book.

 

[SteveA]

I have a large clarkii that during the day hangs out in a nice sized goniopora. At night, when the gon. is contracted, he rests right on the live rock

 

[dizzy]

The hairy mushroom (Rhodactis sp) sometimes called Metallic Frilly make a great surrogate for my true perks. The mushroom is totally unbothered by the clowns' activities. They have recently spawned five times in between shrooms.

 

[Reefguide]

Here is my Alveopora and it's 2 residents...

 

[goofyreefer]

My Ocellarus and percula seem to like the xenia forest in my tank.

 

[Lady Godiva]

Thanks for all the replys. You've all given me some homework to do!

Karen

 

[tanzy]

Don't you think those percs are like puppies!
When my clown started messing with my E. ancora it tore the tissue of the coral and exposed the sharp skeleton below. They get deep gashes if they dive too fast into the coral, but they are tough, lotsa scars and still alive. The corals get used to the irritant after a while and will remain expanded even when I touch it.

 

[godblesswtc]

My sebae clownfish had adopted my flowerpot as its' home but after a couple of months of irritation it finally died. For the last few months though it has moved into my wellsyphillia brain. The brain doesn't seem to mind the clown constant rubbing and sleeping on it at night.

 

[ReefLion]

I've had great success with colt coral. Works like a charm, and colts are among the hardiest corals around (especially if you get a propagated frag).

Tim

 

[Anonymous]

fwiw-(sorry, again,for the pic quality):

 

[Dan Bee]

My Perc has taken to a Leather in my 20 gal.. He slides right in there when the polyps are fully extended.

 

[Anonymous]

 

[Lady Godiva]

Guy,
That's an awesome picture! Is that a type of euphyllia coral?

 

[foozed]

Wow, I can't believe I didn't see Pulsing Xenia on the list! I have LOTS of Xenia growing in my tank now (thank you Jim Roth) and my Tomato Clown LOVES it.
He has absolutely adopted my Xenia as its host..
And check this out.. the first time around, he just about killed the Xenia.. he was in it 99% of the day.. the xenia didnt adapt well and just about dies off.
The Xenia came back in about 2 months (it doesnt take much..) and the Tomato again started adopting it and residing within it.. this time the Xenia has no problem! It's the coolest thing!
I wonder if my Xenia learned to live with it?

 

[Reefguide]

Cool sounds like the Xenia might adapt. My Xenias are so sensitive, even when feeding live brine if a few touch the Xenias they'll close right away for a few seconds...