Can clowns damage corals?

mig

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2014
Location
Watford, Ontario
Website
www.cameroncollision.com
Wondering about my OCD clown fish and the effect they have on my corals. They were rubbing the heck out of a couple until they were almost bald. I did some rearranging and now they obsess with another one to the point it only sprouts about half as long as it used to. I tried moving it and the one clown was attacking me..haha.. Idk if they have little teeth but it feels like it. So I'm wondering if the clowns can damage my Corals or is this normal?
 

Reef Hero

Super Active Member
Joined
May 27, 2012
Location
Lucan
Clowns like to host corals that can resemble an anemone.... Some will be ok with that and others will not. I don't have an anemone so my clowns host my wellsophyllia. It doesn't seem to mind but I have heard others say that they have had issues with their clowns hosting other corals.... If the coral is looking retracted or stressed then I would say that it is not liking what the clowns are doing....
Also, yes the clowns can attack your hands or fingers or even other fish....my female will sometimes attack my fingers but I don't think they can really do much damage to you. You can always buy some rubber gloves if it bothers you a lot.
Do you by any chance have an anemone in there for the clowns to host?

The pic you posted wasn't coming in clear before but now it is.... That coral is a branching hammer and is common for the clowns to host. I used to have a branching hammer coral and my clowns hosted it for a couple weeks when I first got them a few years back. Eventually they moved on to the wellso.... I can't really remember if the hammer coral was stressed a lot by it or not....but like I said if the hammer is looking retracted or stressed then they are definitely bothering it.

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AdInfinitum

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2012
Location
Thorndale, Ontario
My Cinnamon Clown draws blood when he hits my hands.  Scares the crap out of you because you don't see it coming. 

It cannot be trusted with small nems cause he will rub and harass them to death.
 

unibob

Distinguished Member
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Joined
Mar 15, 2012
Location
St Thomas
They definitely can harm and kill corals. I have not had one do it since the gold torch, but I do believe it was because they rubbed on it so soon after going into tank that it didn't get a chance to acclimate to tank fully.


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RYOUNVS

Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2013
Location
Kerwood, Ontario
I just got a green bubble tip from Unibob in hopes that my clowns WILL host it. Poor things hang out in the corner of the tank, they still do. Hopefully they find it. I feel back for them. Oh, and nice zoa's! I may need you to frag a few polyps (sp?) for me!
 

AdInfinitum

Super Active Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2012
Location
Thorndale, Ontario
I have an occelaris that I have had for over 15 years.  In that time she has been in with BTA's, LTA's, Carpets, elephant ears and torches and never had any interest in any of them.

The only thing it ever "hosted" was a patch of hair algae that grew in the corner of the tank where she hung out and she would defend it from the Sohal who wanted to eat it.

Total opposite to my cinnamon that tries to live in anything.

Good luck with it.  It can be very hit or miss and or pure luck...
 

mig

New Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2014
Location
Watford, Ontario
Website
www.cameroncollision.com
Ill have to check out your green bubble tip ryounvs when i come bug u for some more rodi water today or tomorrow... i will soon have my own rodi system.. i have one on order from brs, they had 10% off sale...That pic isnt too clear, surprised you spotted those....youll have to show me how to frag off some of it for you.
 
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