Clown And Sponge

[Miss Wiggle]

hmmm well one of our two clowns has take an unhealthy interest in the sponge over the last few days, keeps sitting in it, getting his nose in it and wriggling around and just geenrally spending far too much time there!! I've had a good look at the sponge to see if I can see what's interesting him, there's no egg's or anything like that in there (don't even know if clowns are egg layers..... just a thought). He doesn't seem to be poorly he'll quite happily swim around the tank for a bit, there's only him, 1 other clown and a bit of clean up crew so shouldn't be anything scaring him.

One thought is that as we've changed the group dynamic by getting rid of 1 clown and the tang then maybe he's turning into a she or something?? dunno how to sex them or how I'd know if this is what he's doing.

ideas anyone?

 

[SkiFletch]

Sounds like its decided to host in the sponge. Clowns dont have to host in anemones. In fact, in the absence of an anemone they'll host in just about anything. I've seen them host in hammer corals, torch corals, tube worms, open brain corals, palythoas, all sorts of things. If the sponge isn't getting too stressed by the clown's behavior just leave it be Oh, and take a pic

 

[Opcn]

The sponge is the only animal without a nervous system, its also the only animal without an endocrine system, these are the two systems that we find stress being manifested in, if the sponge is getting food its happy. The clown can't possibly do anything to stop this short of burying the sponge So I say leave them to there fun, and enjoy.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

marvellous, we thought it might be making it it's home, wasn't sure if they just picked anenome's for it or anything suitable.

will try and get some pics up soon, need to sort out the blooming blind in the living room first though, just get reflection if i take pics at the moment.

 

[SkiFletch]

I find pic taking is much easier after sundown