Getting clowns to host

[Mike62]

I have two clowns in my tank, they were in the tank for several weeks. Last week, I got a bubble tip anenome for them to host in. Theyve totally ignored it. You would think they were cats. Is there some way to entice clowns to host in an anenome or is it just a matter of luck. 

[Greatwhite]

Did you put a VACANCY sign over the anemone?

There is no way to "force" a clown to host an anemone.  The only thing you can do is aim for the species of anemone that the clowns would chose in nature.  For example, Ocellaris will chose a Magnificent (Ritteri?) Anemone in nature, and a Percula will host a Sebae.  Both will adapt to a bubble tip in an aquarium, but it's really just a matter of time for them to realize that it's there and how soft and squishy it is in there for them.

Something fun to do is check youtube for suggestions on how to make the clown host the anemone.  Most of the suggestions there are HILARIOUS, including taping pictures of anemones all over the outside of the tank (facing in)..  Just let the anemone find a comfy spot to sit, and hope that it's near where the clowns "sleep" at night - and wait.

PATIENCE IS KEY.   It took my ocellaris clowns about 5 days to take to the Ritteri, and it's their preferred anemone in nature.  Unfortunately, it's also very hard to keep and it was mis-labelled when I bought it...

My clowns also once hosted a frogspawn to death...

Once they DO host the anemone, it's beautiful to watch, and to see the relationship between the critters.