Clarkii clown harassing bubble tip

[ReeferPat]

I have an interesting dilemma. I got a bubble tip anemone from AquaSD last week to see if my Clarkii Clowns would host it (I used to have a Haitian Pink Tip which they completely ignored). I floated the bag for 30 minutes and drip acclimated for about an hour. As soon as I put the bubble tip in the tank my Clarkii are vigorously trying to host it. So much so that the anemone won't come out of its crevice in the rock. As soon as it tries, the clown is all over it so it retracts again.
Will the anemone eventually get used to the amorous clowns and come out? Or should I worry the clowns will kill it before everyone settles. It's been about four days.

40-gallon Aquatop Recife Cube (six months old)

Parameters:
Salinity: 0.126
PH: 8-8.2
Ammonia: Undetectable
Nitrites: Undetectable
Nitrates: 10ppm
Phosphate: Undetectable
Alkalinity: 8-10 (I'm using an API test kit and it leaves a bit to be desired)
Calcium: 400

 

[rkpetersen]

That sounds like clarkiis; they quickly accept the widest range of host nems of any clownfish.
It's definitely possible for enthusiastic clowns to harrass an anemone to death.
It would be best if you could temporarily separate the clowns and the nem.
Depending on your setup and the size of your clowns, something like a eggcrate wall could work.
Or an acclimator inverted over the nem.
Once the nem gets established, you could reintroduce the fish to it.
However, if the nem is small and the two clowns large, they just might be too much for it.

 

[James M]

Anyway you can isolate the nem ?

 

[ReeferPat]

That sounds like clarkiis; they quickly accept the widest range of host nems of any clownfish.
It's definitely possible for enthusiastic clowns to harrass an anemone to death.
It would be best if you could temporarily separate the clowns and the nem.
Depending on your setup and the size of your clowns, something like a eggcrate wall could work.
Or an acclimator inverted over the nem.
Once the nem gets established, you could reintroduce the fish to it.
However, if the nem is small and the two clowns large, they just might be too much for it.

Thanks for the response. I put a net over the portion of the rock where the nem is (the clown actually "broke in" by lifting the back of the net and caught himself. Luckily I was watching so I was able to save him. Never seen a fish be that intent on getting to something. Crazy addiction. Hopefully the net will allow the nem to come out but it's still stuck in the crevice. It looks healthy and the bubbles are there. Maybe it is just taking a while for it to acclimate?

 

[ReeferPat]

Anyway you can isolate the nem ?

I don't have a quarantine setup. Still new to the hobby. For now I put a net over it but the nem is still shy. I wonder if maybe it is not getting enough light through the mesh of the net.

 

[James M]

I don't have a quarantine setup. Still new to the hobby. For now I put a net over it but the nem is still shy. I wonder if maybe it is not getting enough light through the mesh of the net.

Talking about an isolation box

 

[Hemmdog]

Your salinity you meant 1.026 right?

 

[ReeferPat]

Your salinity you meant 1.026 right?

Yes, 1.026.

 

[ReeferPat]

Talking about an isolation box

Hmm, I think I could do that. Should I worry about the nem not getting enough flow though? Or am I just overthinking things?

 

[rkpetersen]

Any good acclimator will have lots of small holes and/or slits in the plastic.
LFSs will sometimes have a store-branded one they sell that's usually inexpensive and works fine.
Or you can get them online, just google 'aquarium acclimation box' and you'll get several options.
I just recently picked up the new 'Tanklimate'; it's actually one of the nicer boxes that I've used.
And if you want more holes and flow through, you can always drill more holes.
Actually, come to think of it, I pretty much always drill more holes.

 

[ReeferPat]

I might try that. For now I’m using a net and the clown seems to have learned his lesson.. New to this hobby. Trying to be patient adding stuff but it’s hard. Lol

 

[ReeferPat]

I might have to try that. For now I’m using the net and the clown seems to have learned his lesson.

New to the hobby but having fun learning al kinds of stuff. Might just need to be a bit more patient.

 

[rkpetersen]

He'll be back under there as soon as you turn your back, lol.

 

[Birddog]

Your Clarkii's are beautiful! I have two as well and most the time they make me smile... and then there are times they make me curse their existence.