Anemone questions and why doesn't my clown like it?

[jennie]

Hello,
Last week I got a pink anemone and a percula clown fish. The fish doesn't go near the anemone. UGH that's the whole reason I got them. A few years ago I had a tank and the same anemone but a clarky clown. The clown hardly ever left the anemone. Am I doing something wrong?
Also, I thought the anemones liked to be in the light but every morning I wake up and he's gone further under the rock. Should I move him. Also is it normal for him to shrivle up once or twice a day and then come back to normal?
I don't know what my light is called (bought it on craigs list) but it is for reefs.
thanks
Jennie

 

[spanko]

What you are describing is normal for both the nem and the fish providing your tank equipment and parameters are of the condition to keep these critters. We do need to know what light you have though. Is it metal halide, T5, or power compact??? Also how long has the tank been up and are your chemistry measurements within natural seawater parameters?

 

[jennie]

HI again,
I have the water tested at the lfs and it is all in the normal parameters. I don't know what kind of light I have only that it was used for a reef. I bought it on craigslist with my setup. It has a daylight with a reef bulb, a blue light for night and a moonlight and it also has a fan but we haven't used it yet.

 

[jennie]

oh, tank has been up for 10 weeks. 4 weeks with heat on and 3 weeks with fish.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Jennie
http:///forum/post/3215550
oh, tank has been up for 10 weeks. 4 weeks with heat on and 3 weeks with fish.

Jennie, you have a problem. An anemone should not be in a tank that is younger than 6 months. A clown does not always decide it likes the anemone, they have to build a relationship, let alone one that has not yet found its happy place to stay yet.
Your next purchase should be a test kit and a good aquarium book. I am not being mean, you really need some help with basics.

 

[chilwil84]

on top of the post stated above many percula and Amphiprion ocellaris clowns are tank raised so they all dont naturally take to a anenome like a wild caught clown. if you can take the anenome back and research some and allow your tank to mature than if you feel at that time you want one get it.

 

[jpkboca]

As everyone else stated your tank is too new for an anenome. But him hiding away from the light when new is perfectly normal.
My clowns [tank raised] didnt go near my anenome for probably 5 months after I had them, but since have, and they are in them all night and a good portion of the day.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3215575

Jennie, you have a problem. An anemone should not be in a tank that is younger than 6 months. A clown does not always decide it likes the anemone, they have to build a relationship, let alone one that has not yet found its happy place to stay yet.
Your next purchase should be a test kit and a good aquarium book. I am not being mean, you really need some help with basics.