New Tank,1 Skunk Clown that needs a home.

I have a 110 tall that is ready for some coral.The only fish i have right is a Skunk Clown fish.I'm getting ready to start purchasing other livestock,mostly coral.I am in no kind of hurry to stock my tank.Patients kicked in during cycling.After learning what "parameters" refers to in reef talk(I'm still new to all of this); All of that is in check.Here is my question:

What type of coral can i get for the clown to host with?
My concern is that i will purchase corals that are not clown friendly, the clown will try and hook up with the coral, thus killing the coral. I definitely do not want that to happen.I have read that Kenya Tree and Toadstool will do.Are there other options such as Hammerhead coral.Will that do the trick?Its more "anemone" like and I think homie would be a bit more comfortable.I'm open to any suggestions.thanks.


T.Lites

 

Clowns usually host anemones, not corals. The euphyllia family of corals, including the hammer, torch and frogspawn look somewhat like anemones, but they pack a sting that most clowns can't tolerate. If the clown is tank-raised, it might attempt to host one of these, but will usually stay away after it's stung. If it's from the wild, it will probably know not to even try.

You should probably stay away from anemones for now, until you get used to maintaining your parameters; as they're moderately difficult to keep. (the anemones, not necessarily the params).

As for corals that your clown will host, I'll have to let someone else answer that. Good luck to ya!

 

Much Obliged.Not planning on any anemones any time soon.I don't feel like my tank is mature enough to have them yet.Plus I've heard horror stories about anemones killing everything in the tank.Of course I've also heard that some won't move if they find a spot they really like. The Search must continue.Thanks.

 

As far as anemones killing everything in the tank--this comes down to good husbandry. If you keep stock of what's going on in your tank, the anemone will clue you in to its demise long before it dies. In other words, if an anemone dies in your tank and takes a lot with it, you're not paying attention.

 

I have a clown that is currently trying to host my torch, and I can say with certainty that the torch's stings have no effect on my clown. The clown does seem to be bothering the torch, though, as it retracts nearly everytime the clown gets in it.
I have heard that the clowns will host other corals like toadstools as well, but have yet to try it. Even with an anemone, you wont get a gauranteed hosting; some clowns do it, some dont. Same seems to go with the corals; some tolerate the clowns, some dont. Its all about what that individual animal has decided, regardless of species. Its a lot of the reason why I love this hobby so much: personality, even in corals.
As far as anemone's are concernd, its not always about good husbandry. Its not uncommon for one to loose its footing, get sucked into a powerhead, filter, or whatever, than die instantly taking everything with it, all in the time frame you are at work, leaving you no chance for "good husbandry". I am also very biased because I had one that died and took everything with it.
To each his own, I guess.

 

let me get this right is a anemone die in my tank it will kill everything in it?

 

Could very well. When anemone's die, they release a toxin which can kill fish, coral, inverts, and even the bacteria for your cycle.

 

I really think it depends on if you catch it in time. I did once and did a 50% water change and everything lived.

As for Anemones here is what your Skunk may like.
Since your tank is new I would stay away from a Carpet/Saddle, Sebae, or Ritteri.
The Long Tentacle and Bubble are really hardy anemones. If you do decide to go with one I liked putting them in first because If they move around you don't have to worry about it moving next to one of your corals and it stinging it. The bubble tips I have had didn't move around a lot. They like to attach their sock to the underparts of a overhang so It may depend on your rock work in your tank. I also have seen clowns host in big colonies of Zoanthids, Kenya tree corals, and toad. mush. hope some of this helps ;D

Pink Skunk Clown Amphiprion perideraion
Long Tentacle anemone
Sebae anemone
Ritteri anemone
Carpet anemone
Saddle anemone
Bubble anemone

 

Thanks Everyone.Karma for All!

This is my biggest concern.I don't want to get all this awesome looking coral only to have my skunk go house hunting.:-/

Wow.I had now idea.Thats Really good to know.I just would've left it as crab food!

I definitely thought about the actual terrain of the rock and how it would affect the anemone's ability to travel around the tank.I just figured that the rougher the terrain, the harder it is is for anemones to move around the tank.If that's the case, then my tank would be rather difficult to move around,unless you hit the sand,...or....you a really ginormous anemone that can crawl over anything.Definitely enjoy the Bubble8).Those guys are cool looking.I'm sure,as with everything else,they come in 5000 different varieties.I'll post some pics of my tank in my profile thing when ever i get that figured out.

Thanks again everyone.Now for the Karma!

T.Lites

 

i have found clowns to be very interesting animals, ive only kept a few different species and they had all tried to host in everything from mushroom patches to star polyps, my black clown even tried to host in my squamosa untill it closed and nipped a bit of his tail off, he never tried that again ;D