Toadstool hosting clark clowns

[loans_n_fishes]

The clowns I just moved to a 10 gal, are happily hosting in my toadstool! Not sure how the toadstool feels yet. It is pretty cool to watch though! :)

[Reef69]

Thats cool.. Clowns will jump into pretty much anything.. Clowns will readily live on rubberbands and fake anemones..So thats cool, the leather might get ****ed off at first, but it will be ok..

[loans_n_fishes]

Even though the polyps are not out, the toadstool is "hugging" the smaller clown...I assume that is a good sign. :unsure

[akm]

Watch to see if the leather remains closed up. It can be bad when the clowns iritate it enough so that the polyps don't extend. The leather may get used to it though.

[hobogato]

Even though the polyps are not out, the toadstool is "hugging" the smaller clown...I assume that is a good sign. :unsure

no. the leather will probably get used to it and start putting out its polyps again. i have maroon that used to host in a big toadstool and it kept its polyps out for her, but if another fish got close, it would close up. i guess the clown mimics the leather's chemicals in its slimecoat??

[GaryP]

So you are letting those nasty old clowns abuse "my" toadstool that I grew from just a baby? You just couldn't wait to do that to it, could you? I see how you are, you sarcophyton abuser you. :) :) :)

Just for the record, my saddleback clowns hosted in it too, with no apparent harm done.

[loans_n_fishes]

The leather is looking all bumpy. Ssllloooowwwllly opening. The male clown has sat in him all day long. If they wind up laying eggs on the leather, will it damage it? Is there a certain way I should remove the eggs in order to save them and the leather? Just thinking hypothetically..

Gary, "your" toadstool seems to like the "abuse"! :D I am glad he has done this before with no ill effects. I think Jack Palance is a good name for the leather...don't you? He always had the look of well used leather. :lol

[GaryP]

Sometimes the toadstool will retract its polys for a few days and shed its outer skin. At this time in particular they need moderate flow to help it shed this skin. I wouldn't be surprised that it has taken this long to start to extend its polyps. I would remoce any eggs on it. They may not do any damage but it will attract predators. I would suspect that the clowns would probably go to rock to lay eggs though. Unless you are set up to harvest the eggs and feed the fry they won't survive anyway.

[Instar]

Since removed eggs don't hatch, (except shark eggs of course) if you do ever remove any eggs from the surface of anything, just mix the eggs in with your fish food. They have beneficial nutrients in them for the tank inhabitants.

[Reef69]

I dont think they will lay eggs on the toadstool. They prefer flat, hard surfaces to lay them near their host anemone (in this case the leather)..ive never seen clowns actually lay eggs IN the anemone itself..They are smarter than that.

[loans_n_fishes]

So if they lay eggs on the rock, do I remove the rock to another tank? (I would like to hatch them if I can.) Should I put them in a bag underwater, or can they be exposed to air for a short time. I am going to do some more research later so I can be prepared if the event occurs.

Thanks for the heads up on extra flow, Gary. I'll give Jack a little more to help him out.

I'm glad to know it is unlikely for them to lay eggs in the coral. However, if they did, there are no potential predators in the tank (that I know of)...just the 2 clowns, a couple of nass. snails, a couple of red legs, ricordia polyp, 1 mushroom, and the leather.

[Reef69]

You actually get them out when they hatch..lol..Yep, its tricky..

[GaryP]

The problem with the eggs is that the fry become coral food they are pretty small. The other problem is food for them. They need to be fed something really small like live rotifers. In order to grow the rotifers you need to have live green water. Later, they move up to eating baby brine, that feed on rotifers. As you can see, its a pretty intense operation. I've never heard of clown fry surviving in a community tank. Instar is a clown breeder. If you have any questions, he's the man to ask. As I understand it, a clown pair has to be several years old before they will begin to breed. The clowns we get at LFS are usually juveniles so it may be a while before they actually begin to breed. Like I said, Instar is the man on this, so drop him a note, he will be happy to answer your questions.

What kind of clowns are they? Instar breeds gold stripe maroons and I think he is starting to work on perculas. He also breeds berghia nudibranches.

[loans_n_fishes]

They are Clark clowns. They aren't very old (maybe 3 or 4 months), so I should have some time before anything happens (if it does).

I was thinking that you were talking about the possible damage (to the coral from the eggs) would attract predators to the coral! :lol :lol BRAIN FART!!

Yeah, I know about the green water and rotifers, but I need to do more research to make it successful.

Down the road (quite a ways I imagine) I want to breed seahorses. I've been doing a lot of reading on seahorse.org for over a year and have gleaned a lot of good info. My seahorse tank won't be set up for a while though. I want to get completely comfortable with the reef before even KEEPING seahorses.

It seems that I may be raising Clarks down the road too. ^_^

[Reef69]

Yep, way down the road..unless they are sexually mature..you might get lucky any time soon..Ive seen people buy clowns and a few weeks later they start mating..and they will do so constantly..so if they mate and you cant get the larvae out in time..or if the larvae die, dont be disappointed, they will mate and mate and mate..But yeah, listen to someone else, im just lying, LOL

[GaryP]

Cool, the next time you come down I will hook you up with Instar (Larry). We talked a little about him when you were here. He's the one that has my big toadstool.

[loans_n_fishes]

Yeah, Gary, I remember you mentioning Larry. That would be great!

Reef69...Sounds like I may have to invest in some "quality" porno music along with the fry tank! :lol

[Reef69]

LOL..Yeah..Buy the female some lingerie, get them a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin (yellow label)..Some Barry White.. The male might need some Levitra (he might be too nervous...) LOL..and you are on your way!

[loans_n_fishes]

Yeah, afterall, they live in a house with ALL windows! Not much privacy. :D

[Reef69]

Unless the neighbors are voyeurs..Id suggest you cover the tank, LOL

[loans_n_fishes]

Hmm...my 10 gallon freshwater is right across from them...I'll have to ask if it's offensive.