Food for anemone?? is this normal!? help please :)

[kari maureen]

This is going to seem like a VERY stupid question... but I am very curious...
I bought a clarki clownfish, about an inch or so, and put him in my tank with two other damsels and a pink condi anemone. I feed them flakes one day, brine the next (they seem to be happy with that combination...) and the anemone is fed once every three days with frozen goods... Well I've had the clarki for a day now, and hes really active, hes actually made friends with the anemone (which the lfs said more than likely would not happen since its the condi anemone..) while I was feeding them today, the clarki was taking the flakes back to the anemone for him to eat... This isn't going to hurt him at all is it? If not... Should I just cut back the portion of frozen goods the anemone gets every three days now that he has a helper to feed him? I'm super new to both the anemone, and clown fish, so these little "hosts" and whatnots are still trying to sink in!!
Also, it looks like the condi wants to eat the clarki every now and then, to the point i think "I'm going to have to dive in and save the little guy!!" he just wraps around him and won't let go until the clarki has had it and breaks free... this is all in fun right? I'd hate to get rid of the condi and trade it in for an anemone that the clown fish will host in, but if you guys think i should, i'll do it for the good of the tank!
If you haven't laughed at the silly questions yet, I appreciate it. Hey, I'm just excited i've passed the "killing" stage of the tank, baby steps here!! I'll get it down soon!

 

[1journeyman]

Actually it won't hurt at all. In aquariums clownfish are often seen "feeding" their anemones.
That said, I would suggest ditching the flake food and brine. Flake breaks down very quickly and polutes your water. Brine is nutritionally worthless. Go with marine foods such as mysis shrimp, etc.
The best food for anemones is VERY strong light. Without that your anemone will slowly die.

 

[chano]

/ agreed I feed my anemone 1/4-1/2 silverside 2-3 times a week. I tried giveing my anemone flake once when it came out it was mostly undigested i am taking this as there was no nutrition for the anemone. I have heard (not been able to verify yet as i have no clowns hosting in my anemone) clowns may not like you feeding the anemone as that is their job. With your tank not being established you also need to VERY CLOSELY watch your water parameters they need to be stable for an anemone or you will deffinately have issues and likely a death. It is very possible that your anemone will eat your clown as clowns do not exist in the atlantic. Can you post a pic of your anemone i am working on some research on this very topic and any info on the interaction of a condy and clowns would be fantastic.
P.S. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. These are the ones that cause the most problems.

 

[1journeyman]

While Clowns are not found in the Caribbean, I have seen Damsels hosting in anemones in the Caribbean while diving in both Cozumel and Bonaire.

 

[nietzsche]

i would be worried if you say that the condi is actually trying to get a hold of the clarkii to eat. sounds like maybe just one day the clarkii wont expect it or maybe wont be strong enought to break free from it

 

[dogstar]

Most clowns will host anything from anemones to corals to an old shoe...condies are not so excepting to what they host....many a clowns are lost to them...IMO, its a high risk and one day it might be a one way trip for the fish.

 

[kari maureen]

So the photos taken are with my camera phone.... I didn't have time to upload my digi software, so they aren't the best pictures in the world, but I think they get my point across...... When I set my tank up a while back, I got damsels... When I was buying my clarki, the lfs and myself were both scared that the damsels would pick on him bad. they told me just to bring back the damsels if it gets to bad... That is FAR from the case.. I think i'm going to have to give the damsels back because the clarki has already bitten the 3 striped damsel's tail and took a chunk when it got near the anemone... Hes VERY protective of the anemone, no one is allowed near/on the side with the anemone.... Before he came, the three striped damsels would actually try to hide under the anemone (pics below) and even get close enough to touch, but it never ended pretty (usually with a sting and off he went) Thanks you guys for all the input!!!!

Heres the three striped damsel trying to be friendly...didn't work in his favor, definitely not now that the clarki is around!

If needed, I'll get my digi out later tonight and take some awesome pics if those don't help visualize what i'm worried about!!! Just let me know, once again thank you guys for your help!!!