Anemone or Toadstool?

baldwinaquaman · 11/24/2009, 07:41 AM

I've heard that occellaris clowns will enjoy a toadstool leather just as well as a anemone. Is thi true. I know toadstools are much hardier, and really would like to keep something long term. Any opinions?

L98-Z · 11/24/2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldwinaquaman

I've heard that occellaris clowns will enjoy a toadstool leather just as well as a anemone. Is thi true. I know toadstools are much hardier, and really would like to keep something long term. Any opinions?

They may... or may not. Mine hosted in a frogspawn for ages. After removing my frogspawn, they started hosting in a large patch of zoas. They even try to feed my zoas fish pellets.

ludnix · 11/24/2009, 08:00 AM

I think they would be more likely to host a frogspawn or other euphyllia(torch, hammer) than a toadstool, but ever set of clowns is different.

You could get an anemone for your clowns and never see them host it so it can be really hit or miss even with an anemone. I'd presonally try the toadstool or frogspawn first, they atleast will not move on their own and kill other corals.

jacksonpt · 11/24/2009, 08:01 AM

There's really no way to know for sure. My maroon clown has hosted in my torch, a frogspawn, ricordia and hairy mushrooms... but has never gone near my toadstool. I've seen clowns in the past that won't host in anything.

ZC · 11/24/2009, 08:08 AM

I have frogspawn, an anenome, and a toadstool. My occ. clowns only host in the toadstool. They have never shown any interest in the anenome. Every once in a while they will check out the frogspawn though. I kinda think it's what ever is in the tank first they will stick with.

nanshaw2001 · 11/24/2009, 08:14 AM

Mine roams from the toadstool, to the anemone, to the frogspawn......

baldwinaquaman · 11/24/2009, 08:17 AM

does it seem to bothe the toadstool?

gt6188a · 11/24/2009, 08:32 AM

You got the better chance to hodt with an anenome.

Dino · 11/24/2009, 08:38 AM

In the end, its really luck of the draw. There have been many reports from many different people of having multiple anemones and the clowns will completely ignore them all preferring a patch of cyano on the sand or powerhead.

mrpopo · 11/24/2009, 08:47 AM

Mine have hosted a toadstool without stressing it but after a while started to host me nem.

Newreeflady · 11/24/2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldwinaquaman

I've heard that occellaris clowns will enjoy a toadstool leather just as well as a anemone. Is thi true. I know toadstools are much hardier, and really would like to keep something long term. Any opinions?

my occ show no interest in my yellow leather (similar to toadstool.) but, it could be a matter of placement. i think it you put something in the area that they hang out, they will eventually chill there. I tossed a goni over there and they took it as a host for a while. I think I will be putting a hammer there instead and see what happens. I know these clowns like host anemones thought because they have taken to BTAs in the past.

-A

jacksonpt · 11/24/2009, 10:04 AM

Keep in mind that clowns can damage corals... especially bigger clowns and smaller LPS corals. My maroon beat the crap out of my bubble coral for the few days it hosted there.

almees · 11/24/2009, 10:16 AM

My clowns host my frogspawn. If the male gets kicked out to the couch for the night he uses pink zoo colony.

wildman6809 · 11/24/2009, 10:21 AM

i cant get my clowns to host in anything. i have a red bubble tip, toad stool, frog spawn, and hammer coral. they just stay by one rock in particular. i have two pairs of clowns host in two different green bubble tips on the first try. i guess it just is up to the fish.

Nor_Cal_Guy · 11/24/2009, 10:28 AM

I have had them host Duncan corals with out problems?wildman.

fishy125 · 11/24/2009, 10:31 AM

Mine host a montipora cap.....the wierdest thing.

mnellis3023 · 11/24/2009, 10:34 AM

I bought by clown pair a nice bubble tip anemone, and they went to the large toadstool instead.

Clowns are like a box of chocolates....you never know what your gonna get

brdracing · 11/24/2009, 10:44 AM

I have 2 clowns in my 180 the female will host in the Anemone but will not let the male anywhere close to it so he now host in my 7inch toadstool leather and the leather looks just as happy as him about it.

davocean · 11/24/2009, 11:06 AM

I would lean more towards a frogspawn or hammer myself.
Occs are slow to take nem host, and at least w/ a coral you don't have to worry about wandering/stinging.

baldwinaquaman · 11/24/2009, 11:27 AM

are frogspawn/hammers as hardy as leathers?

brdracing · 11/24/2009, 11:35 AM

Yes for the most part, But mine like mid-to-lighting

Arrgh Matey · 11/24/2009, 11:53 AM

Mine actually hosted in a Devil's hand for quite a while...

museumguy · 11/24/2009, 12:02 PM

I have a 120g tank with a handful of Green Bubble Tip Anemones and about 5 clowns. Often the clowns will host in the nems. Other times they host in a red long tentacle nem, a frogspawn, an anthelia patch or nothing at all.

I also have a 1700g reef with no nems. A pair of breeding Clarki's host in a tan finger leather coral and lay eggs next to it, and a pair of Ocellaris clowns cost in a pearl coral. I have figi yellow leathers and a toadstool in the 1700g tank that the clowns ignore.

The Velvet Sea · 11/24/2009, 12:31 PM

Toadstools can usually handle clowns hosting without a problem.

Lightsluvr · 11/24/2009, 04:27 PM

In my tanks:

Advantage of a toadstool mushroom:
1.) Doesn't seem to be bothered by constant contact with even the largest ocellaris
2.) Doesn't move
3.) Doesn't eat you small fish
4.) Isn't a powerhead magnet

JMHO.

LL

11/24/2009, 07:41 AM	#1
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	Anemone or Toadstool? I've heard that occellaris clowns will enjoy a toadstool leather just as well as a anemone. Is thi true. I know toadstools are much hardier, and really would like to keep something long term. Any opinions?

11/24/2009, 08:00 AM	#3
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	I think they would be more likely to host a frogspawn or other euphyllia(torch, hammer) than a toadstool, but ever set of clowns is different. You could get an anemone for your clowns and never see them host it so it can be really hit or miss even with an anemone. I'd presonally try the toadstool or frogspawn first, they atleast will not move on their own and kill other corals. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

11/24/2009, 08:01 AM	#4
jacksonpt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 3,679	There's really no way to know for sure. My maroon clown has hosted in my torch, a frogspawn, ricordia and hairy mushrooms... but has never gone near my toadstool. I've seen clowns in the past that won't host in anything. __________________ Jackson - All advice I give is based on my first hand experience. YMMV. Current Tank Info: 38g (mostly LPS) with a 20g sump/fuge and all the other standard goodies

11/24/2009, 08:08 AM	#5
ZC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 1,132	I have frogspawn, an anenome, and a toadstool. My occ. clowns only host in the toadstool. They have never shown any interest in the anenome. Every once in a while they will check out the frogspawn though. I kinda think it's what ever is in the tank first they will stick with. __________________ "Friends don't let friends put xenia in their tanks" Current Tank Info: 2 yr old 160g: mixed reef

11/24/2009, 08:14 AM	#6
nanshaw2001 Older newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Statesboro, Ga Posts: 501	Mine roams from the toadstool, to the anemone, to the frogspawn...... __________________ My job doesn't begin to support my addiction! Current Tank Info: 125 Mixed reef, 55 softie tank in the works!

11/24/2009, 08:17 AM	#7
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	does it seem to bothe the toadstool?

11/24/2009, 08:32 AM	#8
gt6188a Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 52	You got the better chance to hodt with an anenome.

11/24/2009, 08:38 AM	#9
Dino Freak of Nature Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Finding my way back to the boondocks Posts: 11,048	In the end, its really luck of the draw. There have been many reports from many different people of having multiple anemones and the clowns will completely ignore them all preferring a patch of cyano on the sand or powerhead. __________________ Cody I will love and miss you until the last beat of my heart Harley & Rusty.

11/24/2009, 08:47 AM	#10
mrpopo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Savannah, Ga Posts: 54	Mine have hosted a toadstool without stressing it but after a while started to host me nem.

11/24/2009, 10:04 AM	#12
jacksonpt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 3,679	Keep in mind that clowns can damage corals... especially bigger clowns and smaller LPS corals. My maroon beat the crap out of my bubble coral for the few days it hosted there. __________________ Jackson - All advice I give is based on my first hand experience. YMMV. Current Tank Info: 38g (mostly LPS) with a 20g sump/fuge and all the other standard goodies

11/24/2009, 10:16 AM	#13
almees Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Palm Bay Posts: 228	My clowns host my frogspawn. If the male gets kicked out to the couch for the night he uses pink zoo colony.

11/24/2009, 10:21 AM	#14
wildman6809 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: cincinnati Posts: 56	i cant get my clowns to host in anything. i have a red bubble tip, toad stool, frog spawn, and hammer coral. they just stay by one rock in particular. i have two pairs of clowns host in two different green bubble tips on the first try. i guess it just is up to the fish.

11/24/2009, 10:28 AM	#15
Nor_Cal_Guy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NorCal Posts: 300	I have had them host Duncan corals with out problems?wildman.

11/24/2009, 10:31 AM	#16
fishy125 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 62	Mine host a montipora cap.....the wierdest thing.

11/24/2009, 10:34 AM	#17
mnellis3023 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 444	I bought by clown pair a nice bubble tip anemone, and they went to the large toadstool instead. Clowns are like a box of chocolates....you never know what your gonna get

11/24/2009, 10:44 AM	#18
brdracing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Statesville, NC Posts: 299	I have 2 clowns in my 180 the female will host in the Anemone but will not let the male anywhere close to it so he now host in my 7inch toadstool leather and the leather looks just as happy as him about it.

11/24/2009, 11:06 AM	#19
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I would lean more towards a frogspawn or hammer myself. Occs are slow to take nem host, and at least w/ a coral you don't have to worry about wandering/stinging. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

11/24/2009, 11:27 AM	#20
baldwinaquaman Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 684	are frogspawn/hammers as hardy as leathers?

11/24/2009, 11:35 AM	#21
brdracing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Statesville, NC Posts: 299	Yes for the most part, But mine like mid-to-lighting

11/24/2009, 11:53 AM	#22
Arrgh Matey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 79	Mine actually hosted in a Devil's hand for quite a while...

11/24/2009, 12:02 PM	#23
museumguy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,089	I have a 120g tank with a handful of Green Bubble Tip Anemones and about 5 clowns. Often the clowns will host in the nems. Other times they host in a red long tentacle nem, a frogspawn, an anthelia patch or nothing at all. I also have a 1700g reef with no nems. A pair of breeding Clarki's host in a tan finger leather coral and lay eggs next to it, and a pair of Ocellaris clowns cost in a pearl coral. I have figi yellow leathers and a toadstool in the 1700g tank that the clowns ignore. __________________ ---------------------------------------- Entomologist

11/24/2009, 12:31 PM	#24
The Velvet Sea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 450	Toadstools can usually handle clowns hosting without a problem.

11/24/2009, 04:27 PM	#25
Lightsluvr Tangaroa to 500 gallons Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,855	Pictures worth a thousand words... In my tanks: Advantage of a toadstool mushroom: 1.) Doesn't seem to be bothered by constant contact with even the largest ocellaris 2.) Doesn't move 3.) Doesn't eat you small fish 4.) Isn't a powerhead magnet JMHO. LL __________________ Click on my username and select "Lightsluvr's Home Page" for a recap of our build thread - AGE Hybrid Tank in a 500G system with dedicated fish room. (Takes a few minutes for photos to load) Leave a note if you stop by... Current Tank Info: 350G AGE Hybrid reef tank. 500G+ total water volume. Three sumps for filtration. Barracuda Gold return and Hammerhead Gold closed loop pumps. DIY T5 light system on rails. MP40W x3 to supplement closed loop. 130G Water management system.