Will my clownfish host fake anemone?

Neros503 · Aug 6, 2020

Hello reefers, I have a pair of captive-bred ocellaris and a fake anemone and was wondering weather or not they might host this. Saw this fake anemone at the pet store and thought my clowns would like. they've looked at it and swim by it but they won't host it. if anyone has any tips for getting them to host or any other comments please let me know. btw ive only had the anemone for less than a week.

ichthyogeek · Aug 6, 2020

Step one: turn your ocellaris fish into anemones.
Step two: turn your fake anemone into a clownfish.
Step three: watch your former fish now host the former anemone.

When you say fake anemone, do you mean a plastic decoration, or a coral that looks like an anemone?

James M · Aug 6, 2020

They can host everything. It’s completely up to them if they want to. All you can do Is hope they do

Jason Truong · Aug 6, 2020

yeah probably. they'll host about anything

|Frank| · Aug 6, 2020

They might. One problem I've read about the fake ones is the algae build up at the base, I'd take it out to clean every now and then. Clowns are also picky lol. My male hosts a Duncan I have, the female doesn't host anything.

Smite · Aug 6, 2020

Not sure if it will. I wonder if the material would irritate them at all?

I'd start by feeding near/ in the fake anemone or placing it near whatever corner they normally hang out in when lights are out.

Clownfish host parasites, Anemones host clownfish

D-Nak · Aug 6, 2020

Just get yourself a real anemone. The interaction of clownfish and host anemone is the reason many of us started reef tanks in the first place.

Arylus · Aug 6, 2020

mine never did, rather host a corner or power head, because clowns are idiots.

if you can keep your parameters stable (you have some leeway, don't worry) and you have a decent light, then just get a bta.
splurge on an ultra if you can, its worth it.
clowns mostly don't know what to do with a nem once they see it. they just don't know what it is. they need to get stung to trigger their instincts (mostly)

when i redid my reefscape on my 30 i put the nem and clowns in a small container (5 by 10 inches) with holes in it, almost forcing them together, left them for a day and bam!, hosting nem and cute but aggressive cuddle balls in tentacle spaghetti.

Good luck!

najer · Aug 6, 2020

I bought an rbta 10 days ago that split the first night so now my clowns have one each to completely ignore!

Katrina71 · Aug 6, 2020

My special clown has a love affair with a Duncan. The nem is massive and still completely ignored.

Sosuke · Aug 6, 2020

I have a cinnamon clown that has a fake anemone hosting him. I'm not 100% sure on if the material irritates him or not but he swims around in the tentacles all day and seems content. The algae build up on the anemone is there but the clown doesn't mind so I don't mind. Some clownfish may never host fake anemones, when your tank is mature and you have optimal lighting get a bubble tip. A real anemone is much more familiar to a clownfish than a fake one. Also since you have ocellaris clowns they may not host bubble tips without you intervening since by nature they don't. You can try and use the techniques on youtube the one that worked for me was a mean damselfish that kept bullying them.. I did not do that on purpose btw

Neros503 · Aug 6, 2020

Thank you all so much! I might have to go get an anemone soon. but I don't think my lightings good enough and i was planning on getting new lighting. I'll keep trying with the fake until i can get a real one

D-Nak · Aug 6, 2020

There definitely isn't a need to rush to get an anemone. Actually, the longer you wait the better chance of its survival -- you'll gain knowledge via research and your tank will continue to mature. This will also ensure that you and your tank are both ready for an anemone.

Steven Nelson · May 4, 2021

I have silicon anemones in my FOWLR tank for deco, as my Huma trigger consumes anything meat-like, including aiptasia. Were I to want clowns in the tank, this would be about the only way.
I’m going to start breeding clowns. The plan calls for a divided 20 gal long, each side with a shallow sand bottom and a rotifer filter, containing a clay starter pot and a fake anemone - one side for parents, one for fry.
I’m using the silicon versions because a dead anemone could foul the tank overnight, and because it’s imperative to have pristine conditions; anemones are messy and filter feed on the zooplankton intended to feed fry.
I wouldn’t think of putting anything artificial in my reef

RDK63 · Aug 12, 2021

Steven Nelson said:
I have silicon anemones in my FOWLR tank for deco, as my Huma trigger consumes anything meat-like, including aiptasia. Were I to want clowns in the tank, this would be about the only way.
I’m going to start breeding clowns. The plan calls for a divided 20 gal long, each side with a shallow sand bottom and a rotifer filter, containing a clay starter pot and a fake anemone - one side for parents, one for fry.
I’m using the silicon versions because a dead anemone could foul the tank overnight, and because it’s imperative to have pristine conditions; anemones are messy and filter feed on the zooplankton intended to feed fry.
I wouldn’t think of putting anything artificial in my reef

What brand silicon anemone are you using? I want to use a fake anemone but everything i look at says they cloud and slime your tank? Have you used yours for awhile? Has the brand your using caused any problems? Certainly there must be a good quality saltwater silicone anemone on the market?

Frostblitz20 · Aug 12, 2021

my big tank my clowns perfer to host Green star plopys instead of my Nem.....
My small 15g have a amazing RBTA.. but instead my clowns perfer to host a corner of the tank and dug out a small sand bed to lay in at night...

clowns are weird... something i heard is print out color photos of other clowns hosting a Nem and post it on the side of the tank.

Steven Nelson · Aug 12, 2021

RDK63 said:
What brand silicon anemone are you using? I want to use a fake anemone but everything i look at says they cloud and slime your tank? Have you used yours for awhile? Has the brand your using caused any problems? Certainly there must be a good quality saltwater silicone anemone on the market?

I use them as deco in my FOWLR. I have no idea who the manufacturer is. I wash them out regularly and have never had issues.
The person who would never put anything ‘artificial’ in their tank should be aware that many different types of plastics are constantly immersed in their tank water, including wavemakers, heaters, filter housings, tubing, etc., many of which degrade over time.
I’ll soon be immersing a foam backdrop as well.
In a well- populated FOWLR, organic ‘deco’ of all kinds will become food in short order. My triggers gnaw at my LR constantly. They even tug at the ‘tentacles’ of the fake anemones, and drag them around the bottom. If you want anything more interesting than a pile of rocks, you’re probably looking at something artificial. If you’ve ever watched Fish Tank Kings - that’s their stock in trade (not that I care much for their builds).
I have never seen a clown associate with an artificial anemone, however I wouldn’t rule it out. I’ve seen them bond with just about everything else!

RDK63 · Aug 12, 2021

Steven Nelson said:
I use them as deco in my FOWLR. I have no idea who the manufacturer is. I wash them out regularly and have never had issues.
The person who would never put anything ‘artificial’ in their tank should be aware that many different types of plastics are constantly immersed in their tank water, including wavemakers, heaters, filter housings, tubing, etc., many of which degrade over time.
I’ll soon be immersing a foam backdrop as well.
In a well- populated FOWLR, organic ‘deco’ of all kinds will become food in short order. My triggers gnaw at my LR constantly. They even tug at the ‘tentacles’ of the fake anemones, and drag them around the bottom. If you want anything more interesting than a pile of rocks, you’re probably looking at something artificial. If you’ve ever watched Fish Tank Kings - that’s their stock in trade (not that I care much for their builds).
I have never seen a clown associate with an artificial anemone, however I wouldn’t rule it out. I’ve seen them bond with just about everything else!

Thank you . I am getting artificial corals and such from Ocean Aquaria in JAX, FL. They make nice safe things for salt water as well as artificial reefs. I have ordered what will work work with my existing rock, will be very nice. I was wanting a fake anemone for the clowns and for movement (swaying). I feel great about what i am getting , they make some fake anemones rigid and may just order a couple of them if the clowns wont host the fake swaying type. Thank for your honesty and not degrading me. I have my reasons why i am not going to try and maintain a real reef tank. I appreciate it.

pepperbrends · Aug 13, 2021

ordered a bunch of artificial corals from Creative Coral Design and works well with my fish. after-sales was great since most of my questions were answered. this is my first time using artificial corals and inserts