hostless clown... poor guy

[bongobrian]

I purchased a bt anemone back in september and my maroon clown still hasn't interacted with it. Maroons will go in a bubble tip won't they? I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that they are the natural host for a maroon clown. Anyway, I know that sometimes it can take a really long time before clowns will take to a host, but how long did it take for you guys? is there any known trick to start getting a clown to go in an anemone? my anemone has picked a spot in my tank that isn't in the clowns territory. I'm guessing that is also a reason why he hasn't gone in it. Anyway, this is probably a question that has no answer but I thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks guys! Happy new year!

[Ninong]

You are correct about the Bubble Tip being a natural host for Maroon Clowns. In fact, it is the only natural host for Maroon Clowns. It will probably accept it eventually.

Ninong

[dznuts007]

Hey Bongobrian. I've had the same problem just recently until about a week and a half ago. I bought a clownfish about a month ago with a bubble-tipped anemone that he/she was in at the LFS. After bringing it home, I acclimated them both and suddenly the clown never went into the anemone and the anemone "walked off" to a little spot on its own.
About 2 weeks later, I got another bubble-tipped anemone (which is huge!) The clown claimed it the next day and the BTA bloomed to like 5" (was only 1/2" at the LFS I bought it at).
Either time will tell, or the clown just doesn't like your anemone. Might try getting another one...

[bongobrian]

Thanks you guys. Yeah I was starting to think about getting something else that the clown might use as a host. I may not get another anemone since they are prone to stinging corals and moving around so much. Maybe I will try some type of heliofungia or something along those lines. It just ticks me off because my bubble tip is sweet looking at it was expensive. To not have my clown go in it is a shame

[Rin]

Sometimes the fish are smarter than we are. Are you sure it's E. Quadricolor? I've seen more than one person sell a Kondi (sp?) as a bubble-tip.

[bongobrian]

Not sure exactly what species it is. It is a pink fleshy color with a short stalk and fairly short tenticles with white bubble-like tips.