How to get a clownfish to "host"

Hi all, I am working on getting my pair of perculus Clownfish to host my bubble tip anenome. Are there any tricks to doing this? The anenome has been in there for over a week and they don't seem interested. Thank you for the help.

 

I'm on 4+ months with them both together in the tank... (percs and RBTA) no pairing yet.

Things I've tried and read about:
1) Place pictures of clowns in anemones around the tank - failure... clowns didn't like seeing the other clowns. I did this for more than a week.
2) Feed clowns near the nem. While they eat whatever doesn't float near the nem, they will eat everything that's further than 1.5" away. The female will actively steal food from the brain coral and the acans (to the point of touching their tentacles) but won't steal from the nem... so failure thus far.
3) "Shoo" them towards the nem. failure... they hide under the rocks and want nothing to do with anything

Haven't tried:
1) Place nem and clowns in small container, just large enough for them to not be "IN" the nem if they don't want to be, but small enough they're close to it.
2) Place VERY small maroon in the tank (which should more naturally host). The thought being that the clowns will try to drive the maroon away, and to do so they'll have to go into the nem. After this, they may decide it's ok to be in the nem. (Then you would presumably retank or return the maroon)

 

I'm just spouting off what I think is coming and have no REAL experience with this.

With the disclaimer out of the way, the only "method" I've seen that could possibly yield results is taping a picture of clowns hosting an anenome on the tank for your fish to see. Other than that, it seems to me that it is hit and/or miss sprinkled with a bit of luck. Also, I know certain breeds are more prone to host certain species of anenomes so you might want to double check that as well. Either way, best of luck!

 

Just to clarify. Its the nem hosting the clowns, not the clowns hosting the nem.

 

well, its a matter of waiting... it might take a while.. It took my clowns close to 5months to reside in the anemone.

I didnt really do anything to make them do it. They just did, but it takes time.
They might decide they dont want to Reside on the anemone as well. You cant really " make them Reside" on the anemone if they dont want to. lol

 

thats one of my pet peeves too LOL;D

 

i guess the first step is a picture. I thought this would be easier! Such is the way with a reef tank i suppose. Thank you for the quick responses

 

my clowns host everthing and anything with no encouragement. they have nearly killed an elegance, duncan and frogspawn. the hosting behavior may be related to the female tendancies, if it doesnt happen naturally then there is nothing you can do but wait.

GL!

 

Use a laser.
your clowns will most likely chase it and lead them into the nem then. Has worked for me 2/2 times. If they don't chase in the day try it immediately after lights out.

 

Sweet!! i have one i just wanna see if they will chase it lol