what else besides an anemone would clownfishes host?

MarvinsReef · Nov 16, 2011

if you don't have an anemone at the moment, what is your clownfish hosting? and how long have they been hosting it?

also, what else have you seen or read that a clownfish would host?

Thanks.

Russellaqua · Nov 16, 2011

I've seen clownfish spend their time in Duncan colonies.

returnofsid · Nov 16, 2011

Clownfish will use ANYTHING as a host. I've had a pair of Clownfish that hosted a Maxijet, for several months.

I've also had Clownfish live in Frogspawn, currently, in my 40 breeder, Xenia, Bubble Coral, Hammer Coral, Hairy Mushroom...I think, other than Anemones, that's about all I've actually experienced.

I've seen, in other tanks, Cownfish live in a large Toadstool leather, Xenia, various Mushrooms.

Oh, in a local LFS, with a huge display tank and a monstrous Gigas clam, he has a pair of clowns that live in that clam!

returnofsid · Nov 16, 2011

Familiarize yourself with Clownfish Hyper Melonization. This is a syndrome that causes black "splotches" on clownfish and is thought to be caused when they use corals as a host. It's not believed to be harmful at all and usually goes away, when that particular coral is removed from the fish.

MarvinsReef · Nov 16, 2011

cool. Thanks.

I've personally seen them host on elegance too.

so the list:

- Duncans
- Elegance
- Frogspawn
- Hammer
- Torch
- Toadstool
- Mushrooms
- Brains
- Bubble Coral
- Xenia
- Clams
- MaxiJet

wOw! that's quite a selection. haha.

FishLipz · Nov 16, 2011

Mine like anything that sways. My male stays in the BTA and my female bounces between my hammers or softball sized duncan colony.

STL · Nov 16, 2011

I've got a mated pair of ocellaris... they've hosted a heater, xenia and a finger leather. They've been in the finger leather for a couple years now and seem rather content to stay there. The finger leather doesn't seem to mind either.

MarvinsReef · Nov 16, 2011

as far as I know, the clownfish does not hurt the coral, right? or has anyone had a different experience?

mikezalewski · Nov 16, 2011

Clown fish really do not harm the corals they will just tick off the coral to where it might not open. This would e like touching the coral all the time and could cause the coral to die from lack or nourishment! Hope this helps

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returnofsid · Nov 16, 2011

Sometimes they will irritate the coral enough that the coral keeps it's polyps retracted. I've never experienced this though.

SaltWaterDave · Nov 16, 2011

Mine host a large patch of Anthelia and love it!

STL · Nov 16, 2011

My clowns nearly killed the xenia they were snuggling with - fortunately, they moved to the finger leather before the colony completely collapsed.

Birdee · Nov 30, 2011

When I only had a single BTA my female Ocellaris tended to be a moody hog and run the male off. When he was on the outs he would spend his time quite happily in my Duncan. The Duncan never reacted badly, but I now have 3 BTA's and it's no longer an issue. The female hogs up the biggest one, sharing when she feels like it, and the male goes back and forth between a smaller BTA and the females favorite large one.
That said I've also seen the male snuggling on Shrooms on occasion.
Some clowns are pickier than others. Ocellaris seems to host ANYTHING and/or everything. LOL

GrouperStupor · Nov 30, 2011

I had a clown try to host a goniopora. It did not like it and wouldn't hardly come out. I moved the goniopora to another tank and it recovered.

mylifeismyown66 · Nov 30, 2011

My ORA prem. picasso hosts my elegance without issue. Been there for probably 6 months. (see my avatar).

revhtree · Nov 30, 2011

Clownfish are like hobos! HA!

snyderusaf · Nov 30, 2011

Mine have used the Hammer coral for the past few months both coral and fish seem to get along well but they have hosted a flower pot which they irritated so I had to move it but still lost it, also before that the host a fake plant, heater, rock with hair algae. They aren't picky at all.

banzai75x · Nov 30, 2011

The only thing mine host is the corner of the tank. I put a torch 5 inches away from them but the still like to kick it in the corner next to the sand.

herozero · Nov 30, 2011

my mom had a pair of black and white's host her frogspawn and clam.

my false percs host in my GSP. The spot where they host has lost it's green but the rest of it has great color. The polyps continue to come out everywhere, so no harm no foul.