Brand new RBTA already split - Now what?

[Scooter12ga]

Hey everybody,

I just got a reeal nice RBTA from a local reefer yesterday. Today I got home from work and was happy to see that it had settled in and wasn't walking anymore. It looked somewhat small, but I figured it was still a bit deflated from acclimating.

A few minutes later I noticed the other foot sticking out from under a rock and then noticed the second set of tentacles.

So now I have two reeal nice RBTAs for the price of one. :smokin: That's a good thing, right? Does this tend to indicate that they're happy, or stressed?

Is there anything special I need to know about caring for the new clones, or should I just leave them alone and let each do its own thing?

How long will it take for the 'seam' to heal and for a mouth to form on the clone(s)?

I assume I shouldn't try feeding anything for the time being since at least one of them doesn't have a mouth or stomach, right?

 

[Slakker]

I've read that doing a small water change and running carbon can make it easier for them to heal up. Also, they both half about half a mouth and stomach...so give it a few days before you try to feed them

Some people believe it's stress, but even if it is, that would be spot on after having been moved from a different tank. That's stressful for anything.

Congrats!

 

[skyfireblaze]

Hey there Mike --

I had a small GBTA that decided to split while I was moving my tank over to its new stand. The week it spent without much light in a rubbermaid tub stressed it out enough to induce the split.

Anyways, my two clones healed up quite quickly. IIRC, the halves had just about become circular again in about a weeks time. They took a few mysis shrimp at about 1 1/2 weeks (definitely less than 2 weeks).

I just made sure that the skimmer was going rather heavily. Also, once I saw that they were well on their way to healing up, I increased my lighting period to try to compensate for the lack of feedings. Once the mouth was centered on the disk, I felt comfortable dropping the mysis in there and seeing if the anemone would pull it in.

Good luck.

{pics?}

 

[Scooter12ga]

Thanks guys,

They're both starting to 'round out' a bit more today and I can see the begginings of the mouths now. They were staying put pretty good the last couple of days until #2 decided to go 'bowling' this morning, but now it's attached and sitting still again.

{pics?}

Of course, Jon, how could I have been so foolish.

#1 w/o flash

#2 w/ flash

 

[GSMguy]

looks great

 

[skyfireblaze]

They look like they're doing well. As long as they are staying put I wouldn't worry about them too much. #2 has settled down, right?

 

[Scooter12ga]

Thanks Jon,

#2 moved one more time last night and parked right next to #1 - must be the ideal flow/light combination or something (for now.) #2 had been hiding in the shadows compared to #1 which was immediately out in the brights.

What's interesting is that they seem to move more after lights out. It seems that they might be trying to go to ambient light from the room. Hopefully they'll learn the new light cycle soon and start ignoring the ambient light.

We'll see where they are when I get home from work tonight

Today is only day 4 and I've been turning powerheads on and off to build intake shields so I'm not too worried yet about the little bit of movement I've seen.

 

[DivaMan]

Ive found that in new anemones. I would try taking a long towel, attaching it to one side of that tank with a mag float, and finding another way to do it elsewhere, that should help with teh moving. I might try moonlights too. I have a huge rose, 8-9 inches. WOOT