My Clown's Host Anemone Tried To Eat Her!

[old_salt]

I have a pair of Clark's clownfish (wild caught from SWF) that have been hosted by an anemone for almost 6 months. Went to feed them last night and found the larger of the two with all but her tail engulfed by their anemone. At first I thought she was dead, but then she wiggled her tail as if trying to escape. It may not be proper to intervene with nature, but I managed to help her escape by gently squeezing the anemone until she popped out. She appeared to be just about gone, but after holding her under the waterfall from the filter for a few minutes she slowly started to come around (finally all my CPR and first aid training paid off). I checked on her later after the lights went out and she was back sleeping on her anemone. I give up

 

[mach03infront]

wow thats crazy

!... i don't know what i would have done ! i give you props lol!

 

[msez2u]

I had this same thing happen to me a few weeks back. I did the same thing you did rescued my clown and put her in a net and held her under the overflow to force oxygen into her. Like yours she recovered but is very shy of the anemone now. I was told by someone who studies anemones that once they show this type of behavior they will do it again. I was told they usually dont try to eat there host's but will eat other fish that get to close. The first thing asked was " Do you feed it anything other then Phyto Feast"..I told them yes I feed mysis shrimp. I was then told the anemone has the taste for meat and its more then likely able to happen again. Now my Clarkii doesnt stay long in the anemone. She is in and out. I was also asked how rough my clown is with the anemone because that has some to do with why the anemone tried to eat your clown. My guys have hosted each other for over 6 months now....so I'm just as confused as you are. I wish I could get a good answer as to why this happend.

 

[1journeyman]

I don't think phyto-feast is proper food for an anemone.
No idea why this would occur... Then again I still haven't figured out how a Clown doesn't get stung in the first place so

Monitor and make sure fish is not distressed in any way. One theory is that their slime coat somehow makes them immune. I *guess* maybe a weakened clown might be targetted as food.

 

[viper_930]

What kind of anemones are they?

 

[renogaw]

i've seen a clown put half its body down the mouth of a carpet anenome multiple times and lovingly carress it's tentacles, so i don't know that it is uncommon for them to go into the mouth. i'd also like to know what type of anenome it is. go to the store and get silversides, or mix up food per the recipe in the disease forum and feed the anenome real food.

 

[bang guy]

In my opinion the Clownfish would be dead if the Anemone was trying to eat it. Anemone do occationally eat Clownfish though, especially Carpet Anemone.
I think your Clownfish was just sound asleep and very comfortable before you rescued it.

 

[old_salt]

Originally Posted by Bang Guy
In my opinion the Clownfish would be dead if the Anemone was trying to eat it. Anemone do occationally eat Clownfish though, especially Carpet Anemone.
I think your Clownfish was just sound asleep and very comfortable before you rescued it.
This fish was definitely not asleep and it was trying it's best to escape. Not sure the anemone meant to eat it, but it may have been accidentally suffocating this fish.
This fish feeds her anemone before she feeds herself so I know the anemone wasn't starving. Besides, I spot feed them once a week with mysis.
Here's a picture of this clown with her anemone.
Not sure what the name is for this type anemone.

 

[michaeltx]

I feed chopped shrimp pieces, squid, and or silversides. feeding only mysis or brine will cause the anemone to try to eat things it normally wouldnt IE your clown.
Journey clowns have a mucous covering that when the wallow in the anemone it cause a secretion that imitates the anemones sent *so to speak* so its a form of trickery so the anemone doesnt sting them..
Mike