Saddleback Clowns

[BeltwayBandit]

Does anyone have experience with these fish? I am looking to get a pair of clownfish and am trying to decide on the species. I am not familiar with Saddlebacks and was wondering if anyone has kept them.

 

Specifically:

Are they relatively hardy (compared to Percula and Ocelaris)?

Will they host in captivity?

If so what species of anemone were successful hosts?

 

Thanks.

 

BB

[traveller7]

I have had and have numerous specimens, pairs, and a colony.

 

They are more susceptible to the classic clown diseases, but once through the initial quarantine, they are quite durable.

 

Mine have never refused numerous BTAs, H. crispa, H. magnifica, M. doreensis, S. mertensi, S. haddoni and even a non-hosting species "borneman". I would chose a durable and inexpensive anemone, i.e. BTA(E. quadricolor) because many of my saddles have been extremely rough on their hosts. To the point of anemone death.

 

I know you did not ask, but there have been very few instances of the Black color variety breeding. It appears an RC member recently had a pair start laying eggs which brings the "known" captive pairs to "2".

 

The brown variety is available captive bred from ORA resellers.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Cheers.

[BeltwayBandit]

Thanks for the info. I saw the thread on RC about the black ones. I am looking at the brown ORA ones.

 

I was looking at some of the clown/anemone host charts with an eye towards which anemone's were easier to keep than others and I saw in one article that S. Haddoni was the normal host and was among the less difficult anemone's to keep.

 

I have a 120 that has been running now for 2 years. Would it be best to introduce the anemone first and let it get established? Or fish first? (I am thinking anemone, but am not sure)

[Guest bill33]

hey,

 

i also have a pair that are about 2.5 and 2inch big they dont get along with alot of bottom dwelling fish such as gobies. and what not. maybe cause its my pair but they have alot of personallity

 

 

Bill

[BeltwayBandit]

On the subject of anemone's. Has anyone mail ordered them? How do they do. I have seen the warnings on virtually every shipper's website. I was just wondering what the average experience has been?

 

BB