Looking for a host anemone species that clowns prefer NOT to use, but that are not dangerous to them

[RickGrimesCoral]

I am working on my future livestock list, and I would like as many symbiotic relationships as possible. I am planning for a goby/shrimp pair, clowns/anemone trio, and a porcelain crabs/anemone trio.

My plan of attack is as follows:
Introduce a Orange Stripe Prawn Goby (Amblyeleotris randalli) & a Red Banded Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus randalli).

Introduce a pair of Porcelain Anemone Crabs (Neopetrolisthes ohshimai) with an as of yet identified host anemone.

Introduce a pair of black snowflake clownfish (source undecided) with either a Purple LTA or BTA of some color variety as of yet undecided.

My question comes in here... I plan to add the porcelain crabs & "their" anemone first, then the (LTA or BTA), and lastly the clowns so that in a perfect world the relationships will all be set-up.

My goal is for the porcelain crab's anemone to be a species not typically preferred by clowns, but that also isn't dangerous to them. I considered going with a condy but have read that they can possibly kill clowns.

Anyone here have any ideas? I have spent the better part of today doing google-fu, but I am still undecided.

NOTE: I am aware that the livestock may take my plans and insert them directly into my rectum.

 

[nwkermit]

Depends on size of tank. If it is big...just setup 2 rbta on different rock on opposite side of the tank. Introduce the clown and see where they host. Once that is set, put the crab on the other one.

 

[RickGrimesCoral]

Depends on size of tank. If it is big...just setup 2 rbta on different rock on opposite side of the tank. Introduce the clown and see where they host. Once that is set, put the crab on the other one.

Nice, I hadn't even thought to introduce the clowns first. The tank is a 46 gallon bow-front. Thank you for the response!

 

[3Twinklets]

My porcelain crab lived in my carpet and believe me he kept all clown fish at bay.
You could put the porcelain crab with any anemone and he will be the sole occupant for as long as he lives.
Mine was re homed with my carpet and is doing well.

 

[RickGrimesCoral]

My porcelain crab lived in my carpet and believe me he kept all clown fish at bay.
You could put the porcelain crab with any anemone and he will be the sole occupant for as long as he lives.
Mine was re homed with my carpet and is doing well.

Thank you for your experience. I have been reading that clowns usually win that debate, so it is nice to hear that this is not always the case.

 

[Oscaror]

take my plans and insert them directly into my rectum.

 

[wangspeed]

I have anemone crabs that host in rock flower anemones. Not ideal, but they do it.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have had a porcelain host on a maxi mini carpet. I liked that because the maxi mini is smaller than most anemones clowns prefer so it was always really easy to spot the porcelain crab.

Dont forget about a radiating urchin and squat loobster as possible inhabitants that participate in mutualism.

 

[RickGrimesCoral]

I have anemone crabs that host in rock flower anemones. Not ideal, but they do it.

Thank you, these might actually work well since I would be able to see them better. There are some amazing rock flower anemone morphs out there to I see.

I have had a porcelain host on a maxi mini carpet. I liked that because the maxi mini is smaller than most anemones clowns prefer so it was always really easy to spot the porcelain crab.

Dont forget about a radiating urchin and squat lobster as possible inhabitants that participate in mutualism.

I will do some searching to see if I can find any maxi minis I like. Also thanks for the heads up on the urchin/lobster mutalism I hadn't heard of this one yet. I will look into it more now.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, I have an anemone crab and a breeding trio of ocellaris clowns that have been sharing my gigantea carpet anemone for at least a couple of years.

I would not, however, recommend a gigantea anemone, or even a trio of clowns, to a beginner reefer aquarist.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Maybe a rock nem for the crab?

 

[g6gang]

I am working on my future livestock list, and I would like as many symbiotic relationships as possible. I am planning for a goby/shrimp pair, clowns/anemone trio, and a porcelain crabs/anemone trio.

My plan of attack is as follows:
Introduce a Orange Stripe Prawn Goby (Amblyeleotris randalli) & a Red Banded Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus randalli).

Introduce a pair of Porcelain Anemone Crabs (Neopetrolisthes ohshimai) with an as of yet identified host anemone.

Introduce a pair of black snowflake clownfish (source undecided) with either a Purple LTA or BTA of some color variety as of yet undecided.

My question comes in here... I plan to add the porcelain crabs & "their" anemone first, then the (LTA or BTA), and lastly the clowns so that in a perfect world the relationships will all be set-up.

My goal is for the porcelain crab's anemone to be a species not typically preferred by clowns, but that also isn't dangerous to them. I considered going with a condy but have read that they can possibly kill clowns.

Anyone here have any ideas? I have spent the better part of today doing google-fu, but I am still undecided.

NOTE: I am aware that the livestock may take my plans and insert them directly into my rectum.

Love the idea. I am too more fascinated with behaviors over looks any day. I have a Tiger Pistol Shrimp and randalls goby and am looking for a BTA or LTA fir my clowns who have been hosting on my elegance coral.

Never heard of the squat lobster / urchin combo, but would be interested in hearing others.