clowns

okay, why won't clowns host artificial anemone's? I obviously can't have a real one as my tank isn't mature enough! also is there any anemone that i will be able to have in my tank, can i place them closer to the lighting and if so which one. i'd like to have one in the future for my clowns as i really enjoy the relationship they have.
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I've never heard of any clowns nesting in artificial anemones, I'm afraid. As for the real ones, they all move to wherever they want to be regardless of where you place them so placement is a non-issue. Since you want your clowns to nest in the anemone, you will have to choose an anemone based on what is a natural host to your species of clown in the wild. As far as I know, there aren't any low light anemones that your clowns will nest in.

 

Don't anemones secrete some sort of toxic substance that clowns coat themselves with which they use as a repelant against potential threats. I read that this constant rubbing with the anemone through the many generations of clowns have given the clown this funny swimming technique (wobbling).

Maybe this is why your clown couldn't be bothered with an artificial anemone?

Could someone confirm this?

Tanks

 

Ive noticed that clowns usually are not to picky on what they host. Not sure why they wont host a fake anenome. But if you go with real ones certain clowns will host certain anenomes.

Clowns and Anemones

 

Looking at your other post, SPS and anemones have similar light demands. However like people mentioned in your http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/corals-37408.html thread, LPS like frogspawn or soft corals like Colt corals should do fine under your lighting. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen Ocellaris clowns host in these corals. No guarantee, but an option.

 

Clowns are well known to take up other animals and even artificial anemones. Not only some corals as LV pointed out but even large feather dusters and artificial/plastic grass. Breeders use grass quite often for breeding. Allot depends on the clown fish itself. Some clowns will even host a dead rock if it looks right.

 

As of yesterday, my clowns have started nesting in my gigas clam :

 

See

 

Don't anemones secrete some sort of toxic substance that clowns coat themselves with which they use as a repelant against potential threats. I read that this constant rubbing with the anemone through the many generations of clowns have given the clown this funny swimming technique (wobbling).

Maybe this is why your clown couldn't be bothered with an artificial anemone?

Could someone confirm this?

Sure, the wobbling theory is nonsense as not all clowns wobble.

No the anemones do not secrete some kind of toxin/say. They are armed with nematocysts, poisonous darts. The clown allows itself to be stung mildly, which then changes the surface chemistry of the fishes mucous layer, which is now similar to the anemones so it no longer gets stung. The continued prodding of the clown now picks up some of the anemones mucus, which enforces it. The anemone now sees the clown as part of itself, as anemones do not sting themselves.

 

I saw a pic on RC years ago where a clam closed and "captured" the back end of a clownfish. Luckily no harm was done to the fish when the clam re-opened.

I didn't follow the thread. I wonder if that encounter encouraged the fish to seek a safer locale. ;D