RBTA bleached and then split

[jdhuyvetter]

I recently "rescued" a very bleached RBTA from a LFS. Completely white with only about 20% of the tentacles showing pink tips. Got it home and with 24 hours, the bulb tips came back (wasn't 100% sure it was an RBTA at the store). I've had it about 3 weeks now. At first, I fed it a few times. I then fixed my Tunze that was dead. Too much flow, so I moved it to a spot that got flake, pellet or frozen fish food from the tank current. So, ended up with much smaller feedings, but daily. I was out of town this weekend and came home to two smaller RBTA's. It was about 4" when completely open and now each half is about 2.5-3" fully open. My questions:

1 - I am assuming that this was a stress reaction (splitting). Anybody else have similar experience?

2 - How long until they color back up?

 

[Coral Hind]

That sounds like a nice two for one deal!

1. It happens all the time and yes stress/truama often induces division here.

2. Coloring up depends on a few factors like how bleached it is, lighting, feedings and nutrient levels of your tank to name a few. It will take about three months and there is a nice phase where it will be really pink before it hits the final rose color. As you know feedings are very important during this time. I have noticed that removing phosphate removers form the system also helps to color them up faster.

 

[patriots81]

it most probably split due to stress