Can clownfish switch nems?

[KittenChiu]

I have two anemones in my tank, one bta and one long tentacle. Also have a maroon clown and an ocellaris. The two clowns have ignored each other so far. Maroon is hosting in the bta currently. Ocellaris has shown no interest in hosting anything. I am wondering if clownfish ever switch anemones?

 

[PDR]

I don't have any first-hand experience with it, but I'm sure it has happened. That being said, I would think the maroon is likely to continue to be hosted by the bta, but it might choose to be hosted by the LTA as well.

I would recommend rehoming one of the clowns if possible. There is a very high chance the maroon with kill the ocellaris when they start to mature.

 

[nicodim55]

I have two anemones in my tank, one bta and one long tentacle. Also have a maroon clown and an ocellaris. The two clowns have ignored each other so far. Maroon is hosting in the bta currently. Ocellaris has shown no interest in hosting anything. I am wondering if clownfish ever switch anemones?

Yes they do, speaking from experience. I have a carpet, and riterri nems and my orange skunk clowns switches between them constantly

 

[KittenChiu]

Thanks PDR, I will look for a new home for the ocellaris.

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity, Nicodim.

 

[DocPaulo]

mine moves regularly and trade places.. a duncan colony is part of the rotation

 

[Dirty_Birdy]

The BTA is the Maroon clowns natural host, so I would assume your Maroon will stay with the BTA. Depending on how close the LTA is to BTA the maroon might explore the other anemone but will likely return to its "home". Maroon clowns tend to be a little more territorial than most clowns, and mine which I've had for about 3 years is rarely seen farther than a foot from its host (unless it's feeding time). I have had ocellaris in the past and they took about a year before it started living in it's carpet anemone (one of the ocellaris' natural hosts). Both tank set-ups had multiple anemones, but once mine bonded with their host, they had no interest in any other anemones. But, all fish have different personalities so there really is no for sure answer to this question! Good Luck

 

[KrisReef]

I have two anemones in my tank, one bta and one long tentacle. Also have a maroon clown and an ocellaris. The two clowns have ignored each other so far. Maroon is hosting in the bta currently. Ocellaris has shown no interest in hosting anything. I am wondering if clownfish ever switch anemones?

That ocellaris will probably require the help of a skilled marine reef specialist attorney to prevent the maroon from taking both nems, and the fish will probably suffer multiple batteries once the dispute gets underway. Your plan to settle the issue early is a lot cheaper than hiring a lawyer.

But on the other hand they may fall for each other, and you'll need to start planning to raise plankton for the offspring. I think a bitter divorce is more likely, but you can't always discount cupid. Gl

 

[KittenChiu]

That ocellaris will probably require the help of a skilled marine reef specialist attorney to prevent the maroon from taking both nems, and the fish will probably suffer multiple batteries once the dispute gets underway. Your plan to settle the issue early is a lot cheaper than hiring a lawyer.

But on the other hand they may fall for each other, and you'll need to start planning to raise plankton for the offspring. I think a bitter divorce is more likely, but you can't always discount cupid. Gl

So there's a soap opera brewing in my tank? Officially naming the maroon Maria. She's a headstrong man-eater who knows what she wants. Will sweet Ollie the Ocellaris win her heart? Or will he disappear like the rest of her ex-lovers? This summer "Maria, Por Que?!" will be airing daily at 8/9 central.

Thanks, y'all.