Stupid clownfish

Liquid360 · Feb 7, 2013

I've got a 60g tank. I've got 2 Ocellaris, 1 perc, and a black ocellaris along with a big carpet and a sebae anemone. My clownfish couldn't care less about the anemones. I'm thinking about stapling them to the carpet (kidding)... but I really wanted that relationship to happen with at least one clown. Ideas or thoughts?

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cdness · Feb 7, 2013

Tape a picture of a hosting clown pain in a carpet nem to the glass for them to see. It worked for me within 2 days

ritter6788 · Feb 7, 2013

Just doesn't always happen. Then again they may take a liking to the nem at any time. I've heard of people taping a picture of clownfish in an anemone to the side of the tank to encourage their clownfish to do the same. I've never tried it but I know one person swears it works.

ritter6788 · Feb 7, 2013

cdness said:
Tape a picture of a hosting clown pain in a carpet nem to the glass for them to see. It worked for me within 2 days

Lol, now I know 2 people say it works.

Liquid360 · Feb 7, 2013

If I tape a picture on the tank what if the photo shows a much prettier fish? You know, you try to raise your clowns well and hope they understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but these fish magazines seem to set unrealistic expectations of what a pretty clownfish should look like.

that novice guy · Feb 7, 2013

cdness said:
Tape a picture of a hosting clown pain in a carpet nem to the glass for them to see. It worked for me within 2 days

That's so funny I've never heard of that before!

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mayday610 · Feb 7, 2013

Liquid360 said:
If I tape a picture on the tank what if the photo shows a much prettier fish? You know, you try to raise your clowns well and hope they understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but these fish magazines seem to set unrealistic expectations of what a pretty clownfish should look like.

Love this! It might just be the motivation they need to create jealousy! " look at the house those guys have! I want that" Problem solved right there!

Trex · Feb 7, 2013

Part of the issue is that the S. haddoni and H. crispa/H. malu (( both are called "sebae", and can't see it in your picture to give an ID )) are not natural hosts for your clowns.

With that said, in the past I did have a pair of percs that were hosted by an S. haddoni, I would just give it time.

One thing --- Do NOT attempt to chase/force your clowns in the S. haddoni, the odds are great that it will eat them.

lofty78 · Feb 7, 2013

You can't force LOVE

bigkai · Feb 7, 2013

Someone once told me to put a flashlight pointing at what you want the clowns to host in at night and they will go to the light.

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Trex · Feb 7, 2013

That isn't something I would recommend doing with an S. haddoni -- they are like velcro and shockingly fast. The only thing I will ever recommend with an S. haddoni is time.

nicodim55 · Feb 7, 2013

Only time will tell:squigglemouth:

Silvergumby · Feb 7, 2013

I've had clowns host Xenia, but not the RBTA I spent $75 on! From what I've heard, a carpet anemone is the best choice of anemone for a clown to host it. However, clowns are silly and it may take months before the clown hosts it (or it may never host it). I've had about 50/50 luck with clowns hosting carpets and RBTA... I recently saw a clown in a nearby Petco hosting a Condylactis (which I thought would never happen)... go figure!

slyforestfire · Feb 7, 2013

mayday610 said:
Love this! It might just be the motivation they need to create jealousy! " look at the house those guys have! I want that" Problem solved right there!

did something similar with my mating pair of jack dempsey. taped a mirror to their tank really got the males attention.

Bmatthall · Feb 7, 2013

My wife made fun of me when she caught me taping pics up... But she wasn't 24 hours later! It actually worked and I seriously would have never believed it.