Early signs of clownfish and anemone hosting?

[Chaim]

I recently got a BTA and have been trying the tube method to encourage my two clownfish to host. After guiding them through the anemone, they still swim around the tank but spend a good amount of time near it. The larger clownfish, more than the smaller one, occasionally touches the anemone with its tail, fins, or mouth, but hasn’t done a full-body swim-through yet. Sometimes after touching, they shiver or vibrate in place, and Ive noticed the anemone occasionally reacts by slightly closing a tentacle. Despite getting stung, they don’t seem to avoid the area. Does this sound like early signs of hosting? Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[Andy Sager]

Clownfish need to slowly adapt to the stings of the anemone so you can't expect them to rush right into one. What you are seeing is the fish getting adjusted or testing the anemone. This does not mean that they will definitely use the anemone in the future. There are specific anemones that match certain clownfish so they may not like this one in the end. If that's the case, you would need to try a different anemone specie that is more to your clown's liking.
Lastly, Clownfish do not need anemones and basically use them as protection against other fish eating them. If your fish are not threatened, they may not feel the need to use a anemone. Just sayin'

 

[Chaim]

Ok, will see what happens. Thanks

 

[Andy Sager]

Ok, will see what happens. Thanks