maroon clown won't let my bubble tip anenome get settled

[whusband]

last friday i put a bubble tip anenome in my 55 gallon reef tank, and my maroon clown that i've had for about 1.5 years took to the anenome the same day. the anenome doesn't seem to like all the attention, and stays closed up if he can. when the clown comes back around he forces the anenome to open back up. at night the clown sleeps enclosed in the anenome. you can't see him but you can tell he's moving around in there. will the anenome get used to this or should i take him back to the store. i'm worried the clown will annoy him to death. i was hoping the clown would take it as a host, but didn't expect this to happen. anyone had experience w/ this?

 

[theonella]

Yes, I have had the same experience, with exactly the same organisms. The first time, I put the anemone into the tank with the clown. The clown basically pestered the anemone to death.

The second time I tried the opposite introduction strategy, that is I let the anemone get settled, then introduced the clown. In fact the anemone divided into two, and by the time I put in the clown there were two rather large bubble tips (about 7 inches each). I now have 4 bubble tips, and 1 clown.

I had the advantage of another tank to keep the clown in while I let the anemones "settle". You might consider placing some sort of physical barrier between them for the time being. If this isn't possible, then I would remove the clown. It may be quite difficult to remove the anemone without damaging the foot if it has already attached to the LR. If it has attached, and you want to take it out, take the piece of LR it is on with it.

 

[jamesw]

Hey Theonella. My dad works at La Jolla Pharmaceuticals. Heard of it?

I have seen teensy tiny bubble tip anemones with a big maroon clown pretty much "squashing" them. Once you get in that position, it is hard to get the anemone fed enough to get it growing.

Cheers
James

 

[maroon clown]

are maroon clowns kind of aggressive or what? I dont have an anenome, but my maroon spends all day bothering a large mushroom and picking up polyp frags and moving them around in the tank.. its hard to get them to attach to a rock with the clown picking at them all the time...

 

[whusband]

well, the anenome seems to be getting used to the clown. he stays open now at least. think i'll keep a close eye on him and see if i can't keep both animals.

 

[theonella]

Hope things work out for the best with your bubbletip/maroon.

James: Yes I know of La Jolla pharmaceuticals. I work about 1/2 mile from it. They call the area Biotech Beach here in San Diego.