Clownfish With Anemone

[enjoiskater158]

I know Clownfish do not need an anemone to survive in a fish tank, but i always thought it would be nice to have my clown in an anemone. Anyways, I did some research on what type on anemone would host my maroon clown and I desided on a bubble tipped b/c it looks like they don't NEED the metal halides some of the other anemones do. For Lighting i have the 260 watt coralife 50/50, actinic fixture and another 90 watt compact fluorescent. I bought the biggest one they had at thatfishplace today. When i put it in the tank it walked around a bit until it got a little to close to one of my corals, so i moved it to a new spot that had a nice cave for its foot. About 5 mins after i moved it there my clown came over and started to host the anemone. The only thing is, my clown is about the same length as the anemone is in diameter. So i was wondering if it is possible that my clown is too big and might end up killing the anemone. The anemone seems fine its not pulling back any tentacles so moving from its position. Any help would be appreceated

 

[Musho3210]

there is always the small possibility, and this goes both ways, but i wouldnt worry about it.

Did you get an aquacultured bta?

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, the nem should be fine

 

[andywg]

Keep a very close eye on the clown. Dr Shimek notes in his guide to invertebrates that having clowns too large for a nem can result in them buffeting the nem to death. This is particularly possible if a nem clones itself (essentially fraggin on its own) into individual pieces that are too small to withstand the attentions fo the clowns.

 

[Lynden]

I agree, maroons especially can be very damaging. Bob Fenner suggests 'strawberry baskets' to keep an aggressive clown from loving it's host to death.

 

[enjoiskater158]

strawberry baskets?

 

[Lynden]

The little baskets that we all made into "bubble makers" in kindergarten. They are green, with a coarse mesh texture and cubic in shape with one side open.

 

[enjoiskater158]

Update: The Nem seems to be doing better. I has opened up a lot more and is as big as it first was at the LFS. The Clown fed the nem today but a shrimp took the food before it had time to eat Should i feed the Nem if the clown does not? or will it live fine with just the light? If not how often should i feed it?

 

[SkiFletch]

A couple times a week is generally sufficient. Remember, you can overfeed a nem so don't try feeding it daily like you would your fish