cutting an RBTA

[aerius007]

I had a GBTA that I thought I would try and cut. I took some very sharp scissors, sliced right down the middle, and within a few minutes of being put back into the tank both pieces had attached to rock and went their own way.

Being surprised at how easy it was I thought I might do the same to my RBTA that has gotten too big for the tank. My question is can I cut it 4 ways? I would cut it in half and then cut both of those in half.

4 way cut ok?

 

[myreefcentral]

have any pics of the GBTA?

did you take any pictures during the "surgery"????

 

[tufacody]

yes, it can be done, so long as you get a piece of the mouth in each snip. However more wounds = more chance of infection.

 

[myreefcentral]

how long does it usually take the nem to heal up?

 

[WrinkleFreeZone]

If you are going to force a split by cutting your anemone in half, I would recommend using a sharper blade like a razor blade. Scissors are going to crush the tissue along the cut and the anemone therefore has a greater area to heal. Slicing them up is a reliable way of making more and is well described by a lot of keepers on this board. I've gone halvesies on several of my E. quads in the past with good success.

In terms of cutting an anemone into 1/4's, it's possible, and they should heal if your water is pristine and your lighting is good. It is obviously not going to be able to feed, so it will need to rely on photosynthesis to recover. If you do this, it's going to take them awhile to heal back to the point of having a mouth and a full set of tentacles though. I would guess that quarters may increase the mortality rate as a result of this. I have personally had a very small piece of a foot go on to heal fully.

If you do opt to go with quarters, take pictures and post your progress.
-B

 

[aerius007]

Thanks, I think I might cut it in half. Leave one of those halves alone and cut the other to "test the waters."

 

[jubjub]

i'd suggest against cutting any nem start feeding more or change lighting will make a split..i knew a guy that did it and wiped out his tank....

 

[muddysr5]

Can feeding a nem really make it split? This is the first I have heard of this...I'm a newbie - can't help the ignorance as of yet