RBTA and Percula clownfish

[Sunny]

Ok all you experts with anemone expertise, I need some help.

I picked up a RBTA from John and Phyl this past Sunday. I have a pair of percula that have been trying to host in my frogspawn for a while now.
Since Sunday, none of the two have tried to go close the nome. I tried the photo trick but that did not work either.

Does anyone have any bright ideas as to how to make the clowns to start hosting the nome?

Another question is, that after the lights are out the nome shrinks to about 25% of its size. In the day it it fully open. Is this normal for a nome? I mean it is not really a coral to do that.

Thanks for the time.

Sunny

 

[Olivier]

RBTA shrink and open are normal thing. about hosting, it is hard but give them time, they will get in

 

[ds4x4]

i've tried the pictures on the tank of other clowns in Nems, putting the nem and clowns in a net with no option but to go into the nem which worked but didnt last long. also tried sectioning off a side of the tank with just them and the nem, all that did is make all the other fish try to get to the clowns..

I did get my percs to host in a Sabae but it ended up dying (go figure)

 

[mnat]

Did you leave the frogspawn in the tank or take it out? Our clowns were hosting our frogspawn so we got rid of it and added an anemome. They went staright to the anem and started hosting within a day. They were picassos which are true percs.

 

[JRWOHLER]

I had one clown that never hosted anything....OK a powerhead(he is a dummy)...got second clown and she went to the RBTA and now they both host them. With mine splitting they are sleeping in separate beds now. Just takes time I think once they figure it out. Keep the picture up and try moving the frogspawn that is probably a good idea.

 

[Brian]

Some clowns will not host in certain anemones, but that doesn't mean they won't, eventually. It took a long time, but my black percs finally hosted in my BTA. Give it some time, it may take months for it to happen.

 

[MadReefer]

In have 4 false percs and none ever hosted my frogspawn. I added a GBTA and the largest clown started hostng it afetr 2 or 3 months. So just give it time. The GBTA split a few times and no other clowns host the nems. Go figure. Could be a maturity thing.

 

[Brando457]

My clowns hosted my magfloat, return pipe, and my Mp40. Only if there was a clown hosting 101 school lol.

GL with getting it to host, I'm thinking of adding a rbta or gbta soon, but we'll see.

 

[magic]

This may sound crazy but turn off all the lights so the tank and surrounding area is dark. Take a flashlight and hold it on the anemone, the clowns will be attracted to the light. I did this a couple of nights in a row and my clowns have been hosting in it since.

Bob

 

[ds4x4]

i'll have to try this bob thanks

 

[ReeferNets]

Im not sure all of these tricks work so to speak but if they can scare the clown to the point that it needs to find shelter they will def host.

I have also learned over time from having so many clowns that they will literally host any anemone given time and the ability to change it slime coat to protect it from a stronger or weaker sting.

Brian its not that some clowns dont host certain anemones, its that certain anemones arent found in the same area as some clowns. I have seen maroons in carpets and luecokranos in bubbletips, Ive seen Latz in bubble tips too.

I would give it time and be happy if they dont need to host immediately its means there comfortable and happy.

 

[Sunny]

Thanks everyone for all the comments and suggestions. I really like Bob's idea of the flash light. I will try that tonight.

However, as I said in my post, my nome really gets small in the night. Not sure if the clowns would be able to go in ???

Sunny

 

[Phyl]

They all get small at night. The clowns will be fine!

 

[john90009]

give the clowns some time. my perculas never wanted to go near the long tentacle anemone which was a super giant then outta no where 5 months later they wouldnt let any fish crab shrimp near the thing : /

 

[Sunny]

Update : The flashlight trick did not work last night. Will try again tonight.

Sunny

 

[magic]

Sunny

Did they move toward the light?

Bob

 

[Sunny]

Bob

They were almost on top of the light/nome.

Sunny

 

[mnat]

Are they still hosting the frogspawn?

 

[Sunny]

Yes, they are still trying the frogspawn. They would not look at the nome :'(

 

[mnat]

If you can, move the frogspawn to a different area and move the anem to where the frogspawn is. I did that with my clowns and they jumped right into the anem. If they are comfortable in the anem it is going to take a long time for them to make the jump.