Anemone too large want to splice it...help?

[albano]

^^ More common than not BTA's split due to stress of some kind, often a new tank alone will give you a split.

+1`

my RBTA purchased at Reefapalooza in 2007 at 4-5", got to 24" within 2 years...never split, until I upgraded tank in 2010.

 

[Brewchief]

I accidentally caused my 2 RBTA's to split when my timer malfunctioned and my 400w MH light stayed on for 24 hours. When I returned to my office the next day there were 4 BTA's and they all are doing really well.

 

[velvetelvis]

I've also heard of people heavily feeding their BTAs for a few weeks and then doing a large water change to induce a natural split.

Scott Michael says in "Damselfishes and Anemonefishes" that there are two "forms" of E. quadricolor: a large, solitary form, usually found in deeper waters; and a smaller, colonial form, usually found in shallower habitats.

 

[JayinToronto]

Seems to be a bit of a contradiction. Does stress or good living (ie mucho feeding) cause these guys to split? I bought a large rose bubble a month ago. It spit last night. I don't think I stressed it in any way. Nor do I spot feed it.

 

[jimmy frag]

i dont see it as contradiction. its all in the will to servive.

 

[JayinToronto]

I guess you're implying that splitting increases the chance of survival in a sick or stressed out anemone? I don't mean to be confrontational at all, just new at this and am trying to understand what's going on in my aquarium, ie. if my anemone splits should I pat myself on the back for providing a healthy environment that induces a natural reproductive behavior or should I be trying to identify the stressors on the system and attempt to make things better?

 

[jimmy frag]

if the anemone is stressing it has an instinctive will to servive..i had one in a pail over night and come morning had 13. in a healthy inviroment and well fed the anemone has the same instinct to split and thrive in this inviroment. i have had bubbles for many years, i sell them to my customers. i get allot of questions such as ... why is mine not stumpy and bubbly, why is mine long and stringy. my wont split. mine split in three. all i tell them is they are vary un predictable and not every one acts the same..

 

[Toddrtrex]

I guess you're implying that splitting increases the chance of survival in a sick or stressed out anemone? I don't mean to be confrontational at all, just new at this and am trying to understand what's going on in my aquarium, ie. if my anemone splits should I pat myself on the back for providing a healthy environment that induces a natural reproductive behavior or should I be trying to identify the stressors on the system and attempt to make things better?

They will split in both good times and bad times. It is up to you to determine why yours split.

The good times would mean that the anemone has extra energy to put into splitting/cloning itself.

The bad times would mean that the anemone is going to take its last remaining energy to split/clone itself in the hopes that the clone will "find" better conditions, whatever they may be.