Lg.Maroon is loving anemone to death

markus0909

markus0909

Member
My large gold striped maroon has worn out his welcome with his host. It's a BT that was thriving for 3 years with the maroon. They were a beautiful match. Then the anemone split, which made each half the size. The clown then had a main house along with a beach cabin.
Within a few weeks he had irritated each one to the point they quit eating and are now not doing well at all. I have taken the anemone's and put them in unfavorable places for the clown to help heal them. He is, for the most part leaving them alone now.
My questions are...Is this typical? What kind of anemone will withstand a large maroon? I'm sure it's a "large" something.
Please help. The clown is the most beautiful G/S maroon I have seen, and I have had him for years. He needs a host.
He is about 3+". I have a 150 gal reef.
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
This is very typical. Maroons are known for being rough on thier anemones. Honestly I find it hard to believe the maroon is leaving the anemones alone just because you moved them. Instinctively clowns follow thier anemone where ever it goes. I would go further to ensure the anemone is protected and either cover it or put up some kind of barrier, some have been successful with an inverted strawberry basket. It is not uncommon for maroons to kill thier hosts especially when the anemone is in a delicate state such as after a split.
Your anemone I'm assuming is a bta (bubble tip anenone) that is the maroons natural host. A healthy bta that is approximately 3 times the size of your maroon should be able to withstand one hosting. Your fish may get a little upset when you seperate it from it's anemone but if you don't you run the risk of loosing them.
 
markus0909

markus0909

Member
Originally Posted by Lmecher
http:///forum/post/2929409
This is very typical. Maroons are known for being rough on thier anemones. Honestly I find it hard to believe the maroon is leaving the anemones alone just because you moved them. Instinctively clowns follow thier anemone where ever it goes. I would go further to ensure the anemone is protected and either cover it or put up some kind of barrier, some have been successful with an inverted strawberry basket. It is not uncommon for maroons to kill thier hosts especially when the anemone is in a delicate state such as after a split.
Your anemone I'm assuming is a bta (bubble tip anenone) that is the maroons natural host. A healthy bta that is approximately 3 times the size of your maroon should be able to withstand one hosting. Your fish may get a little upset when you seperate it from it's anemone but if you don't you run the risk of loosing them.
They are bta's. I moved them high in the tank where there is little water level for the clown and out of direct light. The clown is still somewhat visiting one of the anemones, but it's so small it's not much of a host anymore and the other is now even smaller.
By covering them up with the basket, is the lack of light going to kill them as well?
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
Covering it with a basket will still let light through. You could put up a partition, be creative but find a way to keep the maroon out.
By small and smaller, do you mean shrunken and deflated?
 
markus0909

markus0909

Member
Originally Posted by Lmecher
http:///forum/post/2930589
Covering it with a basket will still let light through. You could put up a partition, be creative but find a way to keep the maroon out.
By small and smaller, do you mean shrunken and deflated?

Yes
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
Thats what I thought. I'd say your situation is grave. If it were my tank, I'd buy/make a divider or stick the anemones in a breeder basket or clean /new soapdish w/suction cups up close to the surface. There are many ways you can save these little anemones. Pick one and do it before it's too late.
 
markus0909

markus0909

Member
I have a refuge. The light is not great, but no clown. Should I try that? I'm just concerned they need proper light to have a chance of surviving. But I guess to be left alone for awhile even with sub-par light could be better.
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
Is it possible to put the clown in the fuge? That would be better for the bta's. In the long run you should get that maroon a bigger one, preferably near 8-9".
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
Glad to hear that. Good luck what ever you decide I hope you're able to save the little bta's. I think a week or two without the maroon will do the trick
 
markus0909

markus0909

Member
Originally Posted by Lmecher
http:///forum/post/2930719
Glad to hear that. Good luck what ever you decide I hope you're able to save the little bta's. I think a week or two without the maroon will do the trick

OK, I have a new Rose BT (about 10+inches) for my LARGE GS Maroon (about 3 1/2+ inches. My other BT's are doing fine in my Refuge. I plan on moving them back to the DT once I feel confident the clown won't bother them, or take them to the LFS.
As far as the new BT. My clown was all over it before I could even get it set in the DT. He's attached to a rock, the clown hasn't left it yet. Instant host! The problem I am seeing again is that the BT hasn't completely opened yet and the clown is all over it like crazy again. It's only been a day, but I'm affraid it is going to be too stressed to become comfortable in it's new home.
 
lmecher

lmecher

Member
Great to hear your bta's are doing well and your fish is happy too. Would love to see photos of the happy family.
 
markus0909

markus0909

Member
Thanks. I actually have two Rose BT's, one is 10-12" and the other much smaller. I put the small one on the other side of the tank, in hope that the Maroon would only host the first (large) BT. Well......that worked for a couple of days. Now he host's both anemone's. His territory is now about 70% of the DT. All coral on his path from one anemone to the other is on the floor
I have moved all my coral out of his path. It's like he has a "right of way" from his main home and his cabin

Whatta ya gonna do? Not to mention the poor fishmates of his. They can't go anywhere without the clown escorting them out of the "right of way" zone! He's mean, just very authoritive.
........I'll get some pics up.
 
markus0909

markus0909

Member
Originally Posted by markus0909
http:///forum/post/2968252
Thanks. I actually have two Rose BT's, one is 10-12" and the other much smaller. I put the small one on the other side of the tank, in hope that the Maroon would only host the first (large) BT. Well......that worked for a couple of days. Now he host's both anemone's. His territory is now about 70% of the DT. All coral on his path from one anemone to the other is on the floor
I have moved all my coral out of his path. It's like he has a "right of way" from his main home and his cabin

Whatta ya gonna do? Not to mention the poor fishmates of his. They can't go anywhere without the clown escorting them out of the "right of way" zone! He's mean, just very authoritive.
........I'll get some pics up.
(He's NOT mean, just very authoritive.)
 
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