Behavioral Adaptations at Work at Floris

[davelin315]

Over the past month or two I've been really busy and with the boards crashing, it's been very difficult to get on. Now that it's back, I have some interesting developments at school. The condylactus anemone donated to the school by Chris (phisigs) has actually been hosting the maroon clown I bought from Howard when he bought out the stock of someone breaking down his tank.

 

At first, there was no relationship at all, and from what I know of condylactus anemones, they do not serve as symbiotic hosts to any fish. In any case, over the past day or two, I have noticed that the clown has been hovering over the anemone and today, we noticed that it is actually poking its head into it a little bit and waving its fins through the anemone. I remember seeing a TV special years ago where they took a clown, wiped off its slime coat, and then watched as it rubbed against anemones to build up its slime coat again, but after getting into the hobby, I thought that the clown was simply reacquainting itself with the host rather than building up any immunity to the nematocysts. That is, until today. Has anyone ever heard of maroon clowns hosting in condylactus anemones? Or, for that matter, any fish hosting in a condylactus?

[dzekunoi]

It's so amazing!

Can you take pictures or make short videos, please?

[mogurnda]

I have seen juvenile wrasse in them while diving, and will try to dredge up a photo. Not very scientific, but it's a small start.

[traveller7]

Has anyone ever heard of maroon clowns hosting in condylactus anemones? Or, for that matter, any fish hosting in a condylactus?

Not an uncommon event.

 

Most of the natural specimens which host in Condylactis sp. are crabs and shrimp, but many of the less choosy clowns will take up residence in Condylactis species. IME A. frenatus and other Tomato complex clowns rarely hesitate to jump in a Condy.

 

Still, it is interesting when a relationship forms between critters that are typically separated by continents :>)

[gastone]

Dave, I've got a red saddleback clown (A. Ephippium) hosting in a rock anemone (Epicystis crucifer), which is more of a fish eater than a host anemone. It has eaten (in short order), a royal gramma and two firefish gobies.

 

 

Here's a pic I snapped while the anemone was spawning:

 

Garrett.

[steveoutlaw]

Beware the Condi!!! It will eat your fish if it gets too hungry.

[davelin315]

I will snap some pictures when I get a chance, the teacher whose room its in was talking about that today.

 

As far as getting eaten, I don't think it will eat it. The nematocysts fire off pretty much automatically, so if it's not stinging it now, it won't do it later. It's been venturing into the anemone more and more, and today one of the students noticed it and thought it was incredibly cool. Oh, the tank itself also hosted an eel feeding show for a 1st grade class. They were pretty amazed! I was across the hall and could hear them oohing and aahing a bit.