Anemone host for Clarkii clown

Phantom Phish · 07-03-2003, 12:35 PM

I've promised my wife that I would set up a special clownfish and anemone tank for my daughter (yes, due to the Nemo craze). I'm thinking of using one of Oceanics newer 30 gallon "cube" tanks. Had considered a true percula or ocellaris pair (like Nemo), but not sure I can get an anemone for them that will survive. So I'm thinking that I'll get a pair of clarkii clowns instead (because they seem to accept a variety of anemone hosts, including some of the more hardy ones, and look a little bit like Nemo if you don't look too close).

For the anemone, I'd like to get a buble tip (Entacmaea quadricolor) as I understand they seem to have the best track record in captivity.

I guess my question is, how likely is it that the clarkii's will host in a BTA? For the folks that have clarkii's, what are they hosting in (if anything)? Thanks for the help.

07-03-2003, 12:37 PM

all clowns seem to love bta's
my clarki hosts a sabae anemone

dermp · 07-03-2003, 12:45 PM

Funny you asked that question, mine host 2 anemones. Bubble tip and long tentacal!! He goes back and forth all day long and sleeps in different ones at different times! He loves both!! As soon as he sees someone around either anemone he shoes them off!!

CHEERS

DERM

MontanaRocknReefer · 07-03-2003, 01:55 PM

They definately will take to a BTA! I was going to get a pair of clarki for my BTA but ended up with a cute little tomato clown!

Prismaco · 07-03-2003, 01:58 PM

Mine loosk just like mnreefman. But 1 host with the aneneome and the other 1 lies beside it.

-Paul

Phantom Phish · 07-04-2003, 08:34 AM

Thanks for the input folks. Has anyone not had the combination of clarkii clowns and BTAs end up in hosting?

JennM · 07-04-2003, 08:45 AM

From what I've seen, Clarkis will host in just about anything - the urge is very strong in them.

Percs with BTA is hit and miss, but you could always ask the store to try to match them up for you.

Jenn

JennM · 07-04-2003, 08:47 AM

Oh and one other option - Maroon clowns host in BTA - and they look a bit like Nemo.

Jenn

Phantom Phish · 07-04-2003, 05:03 PM

Jenn:
Yeah, I heard that about true perculas and ocellaris not liking BTAs too well. I think I read their natural hosts are Stichodactyla (carpet anemones) and Heteractis. I've pretty much settled on a BTA as the anemone, now I need to get a clown to match. I was showing my daughter pictures of the different clowns, and she liked the clarkiis (our last name is also Clark), but Maroons were the second choice.

I guess I better start getting the system together. I'm going to plumb it into my existing sump, so it can use my skimmer and macroalgae refugium. Probably will buy the stand, but DIY on the canopy. Maybe get lighting from Doug. Luckily I've got until Christmas to get it together. Thanks to all for your help.

MontanaRocknReefer · 07-04-2003, 05:08 PM

My BTA was doing so great the last three months that I thought I would get it a companion and was really going to get a pair of clarki's but saw this little tomato and now he has a home he defends very religiously!

Reefer Addict · 07-05-2003, 03:36 AM

My Ocellaris just love my BTA...

StellaMN · 07-05-2003, 08:58 AM

My ocellaris pair host in my BTA. Took them about a month to take to it (they came from ORA). I had a pair of Clarkii's that hosted in the BTAs too....but they got really territorial and started biting when my hand would get too close to the BTA. In fact, one jumped out the water in an attempt to bite me when my hand was out of the water, but over the anenome. I had a maroon for 4 years, but took her to the LFS when she started drawing blood with her bites.

J.