Overcoming Anemone Allelopathy

[tsharp90]

I am interested in setting up a mixed color morph BTA tank. I understand allelopathy and chemical warfare is a serious concern. I would like to know more about these competitive reactions in order to better know how to overcome them.

I have heard carbon and ozone help, but I do not understand why. What exactly are anemones releasing and what can be used to remove it from the water? I imagine by removing the combative chemicals from the water it might be possible to make them stop competing and flourish.

Thanks in advance for your input and discussion.

 

[brian762]

If you are just doing BTA (E. Quad) you shouldnt have to worry about chem warfare. Its mixing different species that sets if off.

 

[Anemone]

If you are just doing BTA (E. Quad) you shouldnt have to worry about chem warfare. Its mixing different species that sets if off.

I don't agree. The male roses I have (2 clones) are severely inhibited by the female RBTAs (about 30 clones) I have in my tank.

As far as exactly what is realeased, I don't know, but carbon is a known ad and absorbent material, so it makes sense that it would help.

Kevin

 

[tallreefguy]

Def run carbon. I have never had an issue with Allelopathy before and I have mixed nem species... (against better judgement...) BUT! never had a problem.
I recommend NEVER, EVER letting them touch. Also, try to keep them as far away from each other as possible.
BTA's like to hide their foot, so keep that in mind when placing them, as to reduce movement.

 

[atreis]

I have an LTA, RBTA, and rock flower in my tank without problems. They've been there for 12 months, 16 months, and 17 months, respectively. I don't run carbon, but do a 3% water change weekly.

I had to move the RBTA about 4 months ago because the LTA had grown so much it was able to sting it. I just moved the rock it was attached to and it stayed attached. The RBTA recovered from the stings within a week.

 

[hypnoj]

If you are just doing BTA (E. Quad) you shouldnt have to worry about chem warfare. Its mixing different species that sets if off.

I disagree as well. I have had the most beautiful, large, and unique BTA's put into my full BTA tank that have withered away and died for no reason at all. The tank currently has 20 BTA's in it. I run carbon constantly, but the hidden chemical warfare is alive and well. Be forewarned, it can be an expensive way to go and you'll never know which ones can cope with the chemicals and live and which ones can't cope and die. Regardless, growth seems to be stunted in most of them even with heavy feeding.

 

[steelhead77]

I don't agree. The male roses I have (2 clones) are severely inhibited by the female RBTAs (about 30 clones) I have in my tank.

As far as exactly what is realeased, I don't know, but carbon is a known ad and absorbent material, so it makes sense that it would help.

Kevin

Seriously? How do you tell the difference between a male RBTA and female RBTA? Does one have larger uhhh....tentacles than the other? I thought they were asexual - since they reproduce by splitting.

Not trying to be a smart a** or anything, so a little explanation would be appreciated.

 

[elegance coral]

BTA's reproduce both sexually, and asexually. There's no way to tell the sexes apart until they spawn. If they release eggs, it's a girl. If they release sperm, it's a boy.

 

[hypnoj]

BTA's reproduce both sexually, and asexually. There's no way to tell the sexes apart until they spawn. If they release eggs, it's a girl. If they release sperm, it's a boy.

+1 with EC

 

[BonsaiNut]

BTA's reproduce both sexually, and asexually. There's no way to tell the sexes apart until they spawn. If they release eggs, it's a girl. If they release sperm, it's a boy.

Of course, if they are clones, they all are the same sex

I can't say anything specifically about clown anemones, but it has been shown that some anemones of like species can recognize separate individuals versus clones, and in some cases can be quite aggressive towards other individuals of the same species.

You can see eggs in some anemones with strong back-lighting. I can often see eggs in female S. gigantea if you can view them from below under strong lights.

 

[Supernova26]

From your experience do you think male BTA clone less often than female BTAs