torch corals and clownfish

[dricc]

I am about to start my first reef tank soon. My questions is can clownfish use torch corals as a host or would it be too detrimental to the torch coral? Should I let the torch corals grow out before introducing the clownfish many months later? I wouldn't mind having anemones but I'm afraid they will detach and sting corals around them. I'd really like to be able to have both torch corals and clowns if I could. Thanks

 

[Mustangtodd97]

I have a couple torches, a pair of clowns, and no anemone. All good. You have no worries.

 

[Jason mack]

Its in a clowns fish nature too host !! If theres no anamone available.. they will use the next best thing ... wether it’s a torch , a frogspawn even a toadstool leather .. in fact if you left your hand in long enough wiggling your fingers , they probably host that too !! So no worries ..

 

[DSC reef]

Agreed, he might even use the corner overflow

 

[dricc]

I guess my main concern would be if the clowns would kill the torch corals. Aggravating the torch to death?

 

[dansreef]

I have had clowns of a few different types host in torch, hammer and frog spawns... They will host is just about anything.... I have an elegance that a pair will bounce around in... they have a couple of BTA's and move around from one coral to another.... I haven't ever seen any negative impact. If anything... they will bring excess food back to the coral and feed it.

 

[John3]

My mother in law has this exact situation. The clown beats the heck out of the torch but it’s still going strong for about 6 months now.

 

[DSC reef]

Clownfish can love coral to death. We had it happen to a goniopora. Our lightning maroon almost killed its host anemone but it pulled through. Make sure the torch is healthy and montior the clownfish/ torch if it hosts the clownfish.

 

[AwildcatsZ]

I have a pair of clowns that seem to have made 3 different homes in my 29. They will rotate throughout the day between my torch, Duncan, and a small Zoa colony. All of them are doing well.

This however is very dependent on how aggressive your clowns are towards the coral, and whether that coral can withstand the amount of activity. Most do!

 

[Zack K]

This however is very dependent on how aggressive your clowns are towards the coral, and whether that coral can withstand the amount of activity.

I agree with this statement. If you have gentle clowns then you shouldn’t have a problem. The coral will close up a little bit in the beginning, but if the torches accept the clowns. It will be full again after a few days.

I have found that Maroon Clownfish can be some of the roughest on corals/Anemones. One thing I would do to prevent a “Love death” from happening is find a Clownfish that is smaller than your torch. I have a torch that is probably 2”-3” in diameter and just recently has my little .75”-1” Skunk Clown found it and been toying around. I have 3 Anemones in the reef, one of which is 8” across (the other 2 or 3” or so) and he chooses the torch during daylight hours.

 

[Dave haddix]

If you want a clown that will host I’ll suggest you stay away from the fancy breeds. I have a snowflake clown that hasent showed any interest in anything for 8 months. Seems the hosting trait can be bread out of them. Good luck!

 

[azreeftank]

I have several Gold AUS torches that are very $$$$. I would hate to have my clowns host that so I also keep several Anemones in my tanks. You may be fine with the torch but depending on the clown it could kill it. I will NEVER again own a maroon clown not matter what. They are way too aggressive on the coral or anemone they host. My pink skunks and percula are fine. So if you are Careful on the clown you pick you should be fine.

 

[dricc]

Yes aussie gold torches are one of the torches I hope to get. I'm looking at getting ocellaris clowns. They seem to be one of the more passive clowns.

I have several Gold AUS torches that are very $$$$. I would hate to have my clowns host that so I also keep several Anemones in my tanks. You may be fine with the torch but depending on the clown it could kill it. I will NEVER again own a maroon clown not matter what. They are way too aggressive on the coral or anemone they host. My pink skunks and percula are fine. So if you are Careful on the clown you pick you should be fine.

 

[John3]

The way the clown beats on the torch I would honestly be afraid if it was a nice one like a Aussie. They have a love hate relationship imo, the clown beats up on the torch and the torch stung the clown more than a few times now(dark spots in white areas)

 

[cycled123]

My Occ. Clown hosts a hammer coral and the new torches we just put in. No damage to torches in the one month we have had them and only two heads a piece.

 

[RobertP]

My clowns host on xenia and get mad when I cut it up.
I hate xenia!

 

[Theo15]

Lol the proof is in the pudding[emoji6]

 

[dricc]

Nice torch garden!

 

[DSC reef]

It is possible that the clown may never cause damage to the host coral but that depends on the clownfish and how aggressive it is IME. Our lightning is extremely rough with its BTA, a coral would not fare well. Our blacker ice is as gentle as can be. He likes the rastas and barely makes them close.

 

[dricc]

I'm going with ocellaris clowns and hoping a number of torches plus maybe a duncan and some ricordia will help disperse the clownfish attention.