Is this Hammer Splitting?

[warfanax]

Hi,

I bought a neon green hammer 5 days ago. When I brought home it was all closed because of stress and after I put it in my tank, within an hour it opened approximately %80. It stayed like that whole night. It was the only day it opened that much. now usually it stays %30-40 percent open sometimes a little more but sometimes closes. Today it was open around %60-70 percent just few minutes ago without a reason they closed as you can see in pictures.

After some reading on forums, I thought maybe its splitting that is why it stays closed. If not, I am not sure what might be the reason since my API nitrate test shows 30-40 ppm nitrate and Seachem nitrate shows 10ppm nitrate. My other parameters are fine including calcium. I bought a skimmer to be safe yesterday and waiting it to break in.

Anyway. I am wondering if my hammer is splitting. If you look at the pictures 2 of the heads look like ''8'' shape instead of 0 and each one has 1 mouth.

What do you think? Also is this contracting behaviour normal for splitting hammer? Btw it has 3 heads...

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 30-40(API), 10-20(Seachem)
dKH: 10-11
pH: 8
Calcium: 380-400

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o553/warfanax/C360_2012-05-0214-28-09.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o553/warfanax/C360_2012-05-0214-27-44.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o553/warfanax/C360_2012-05-0214-27-28.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o553/warfanax/C360_2012-05-0214-27-13-1.jpg

 

[Psirex]

yep looks like you will get 2 n3ew heads!

FYI - get your calc up to about 440-500

 

[murphreef145]

yes sir that is how they split looks good... i had one that went from 2 heads to about 20 in less than a year

 

[Andrew]

Hammers split pretty often if you keep them happy and well fed. A frag I just got went from 3 heads to 7 full heads in less than 2 month.

 

[warfanax]

How do they behave when they are splitting? Do they stay full open or close a little?

 

[willietang021]

Congrats! They are for sure splitting!

 

[sponger0]

How do they behave when they are splitting? Do they stay full open or close a little?

The will stay open as long as they are happy. Generally, youll see a bubble form inbetween the 2 heads and see the tentacles start spreading apart

 

[Proseph]

I was wondering what that bubble was in the middle of my hammer! Thanks!

 

[iamwrasseman]

yes they are splitting before your eyes a little effrort on your part and you can make it happen

 

[Stu Pickles]

It certainly is sir. I bought a frogspawn frag at the end of last year that is almost 2 heads now. Congrats!

 

[Stu Pickles]

yes they are splitting before your eyes a little effrort on your part and you can make it happen

I'm interested to know what you mean by a little effort on his part? Can you speed the process?

 

[sponger0]

I'm interested to know what you mean by a little effort on his part? Can you speed the process?

Just keep your water parameters good and let it do its thing

 

[warfanax]

Wow. so Its gonna have 5 heads, cool. :dance: I haven't seen any sweeper tentacles at night or any other time of the day yet. Is this normal? Do they only release them to attack or defence?

 

[iamwrasseman]

actively feeding them will add to their growth rate indeed !