percula behavior

[kokxy]

I have a true percula clown that has been with a bulb anemone(I think?) for over 2 weeks, not leaving it unless there was food present in tank. I noticed yesterday that the clown wants no part of the anenome...any reasons this may be the case? He seems to stay by the anemone but prefers to stay behind the rock. They both still actively feed. Can an anemone at some point reject a clown after being with it for long period of time? The guy I bought them from said they have been tank mates for over 4 years! Any input is appreciated! Thanks

 

[klingsa]

If the anemone is E. quadricolor, it's possible that the fish rejected the anemone after a trial run, since bulb-tips aren't a natural host for perculas. I haven't ever heard of that happening, so that's just a guess. To figure out how an anemone could reject a clown, we would have to know more details about the symbiosis. But whether or not we know how acclimation occurs, I don't think many scientists believe that the anemone controls the relationship. So, I can't figure out how the anemone could do the rejecting. I've studied this quite a bit, but I"m no expert, so get some other opinions. Hope they start getting along again!

Sara

 

[reefland]

Clowns will also reject the anemone if it is not doing well. You said it is feeding, so this may not be the case. Is the anemone still "sticky"? I've personally seen a clown leave an anemone twice and each time the anemone died. (not mine, <knock, knock>, which I've had for 6+ years.)

Keep a close eye on it.

 

[kokxy]

I just touched the anemone and he doesn't feel sticky, he did eat a piece of shrimp this morning, was able to hold onto it. Water all seems fine after testing it yesterday, also anemone opens up really big during the day and closes up at night. The percula wants no business with anemone. Maybe its a case of anemone going through a tank move from last week. Any suggestions on what could be the problem?

 

[reefland]

As long as it keeps eating I'd think it'll be fine.

 

[kokxy]

thanks, I will keep an eye on it! The previous owner fed it once a week, is that sufficient?

 

[reefland]

thanks, I will keep an eye on it! The previous owner fed it once a week, is that sufficient?

The frequency of it is, provide the food source is correct. What are you feeding it?

 

[kokxy]

piece of shrimp, should I be feeding it something else!

 

[reefland]

Pretty much all I feed my LTA. Plus squirts of whatever else the tank my be fed.

 

[cdeakle]

Do anemones like scallops??