Getting Clowns to Host

[99taws6]

I have a pair of False Percs that I want to introduce to my tank. I have a true perc that is hosted to his long tentacle anemone, but I want my false percs to host to my carpet anemone. What are some tips/tricks you all have used?

[apedroza]

Its usually hit or miss. My percs hosted in whatever is available. I had a torch they hosted in then introduced a RBTA. They seemed to go back and forth between the two, so I sold my Torch and they hosted in the RBTA. Then the RBTA decided to move and dive into my seio, so the percs were left with nothing. Now they are hosting in my Giant open brain and large colony of palys. If your true perc is territorial it may scare them into the carpet. Good Luck!!

[99taws6]

Ok, well I put them in my tank hoping that they would stay away from the LTA as the Perc defended it, well they tried to bully him and there was a fight. I have them out of the tank in a 3 gallon with the rock with the carpet on it now. I am hoping that they get used to it there.

Does anyone know what keeps the carpet from eating the clowns? I see them brush it and they pull off really quick like they are getting stuck to it.

[Troy Valentine]

The clownfish probably are getting stuck to it.... Clownfish need to build up a tollerance to the anemone's toxin, and with carpet being one of the most toxic this might take some time.

I had a similar problem with my Percs a few years ago, and I solved it when I purchased one large Ritteri anemone.

[99taws6]

Ok, I heard that the carpet has little barbs that actually hook the fish, it is not that they are sticky. I heard that the clowns have a slime type coating that the carpets do not like and this is what keeps them safe. Am I on the right track here?

Do you think them all in the little talk is going to help?

[Troy Valentine]

Yes, you are on the right track. How big is your main tank? The anemone, and the clownfish need to get used to each other.

[99taws6]

My main tank is a 180. They are in a little 3 gallon now.

[copperband]

my false perc is hosting in my branching hammer coral

[Troy Valentine]

Are the Percs fighting in the 3 gallon tank? Or are they getting along now?