RBTA's splitting like its 1999!?!?

[RickReef28]

Hi All,
I strated with 1 that was given to my by my uncle with a 10 year old reef tank. That was 1 1/2 years ago. I now have 6 RBTA's (would have had 7 if i didnt give one away). They have always been healthy and accept food anytime i feed them (which is about 1 piece of krill every 2 weeks or so if i remember). They have never really displayed bubbles except occasionally. They are taking over all of my real estate as well in my tank.

I heave heard so many different opinions on why they split from stress to just being happy. I cant imagine it being stress since my tank is 2 years old and params are stable. Any ideas?


Water Params
SG-1.025
Nitrate-2ppm
Phos-0.04ppm
Alk-9dkh
Ca-440ppm
Temp 78
PH 8.2

 

[Tmoriarty]

From what I have seen from experience and heard from other reefers there seems to be two (at least) varieties of RBTA's, those which grow to a size around 5 inches and split, resulting in smaller BTA's but ones that split fairly often.

And another varietie that splits only once it has reached a quite large size (12" or so). I have personally experienced this among my RBTA's, I have some that don't split almost ever, while some newer ones split very quickly.

 

[kretzkiller]

From what I have seen from experience and heard from other reefers there seems to be two (at least) varieties of RBTA's, those which grow to a size around 5 inches and split, resulting in smaller BTA's but ones that split fairly often.

And another varietie that splits only once it has reached a quite large size (12" or so). I have personally experienced this among my RBTA's, I have some that don't split almost ever, while some newer ones split very quickly.

Thanks for the info, i haven't seen this yet and have looked plenty. I'm glad mine is the latter. I enjoy two very large rbtas and my clowns have a huge playground bc they're side by side.

 

[RickReef28]

Good info! Yeah my original RBTA grew to about 6-7" in diameter then split and so it began. I have had 1 split into 3 as well which blew my mind. I always assumed that it couldnt be from stress as they all seemed pretty healthy and accepted food no matter what. Now if i could only solve the mystery of them never having actual bubble tips!! From time to time a few will bubble. I have heard 1) not enough light (i have a Ecoray 60DX light, crocea clam, acropora ect and all do just fine under the light which has a PAR of 500 24" down from the center) 2) Clown hosting will cause no bubbles 3) since a clown is hosting the RBTA has not need to store posion in thier tenticles which cause the "bubble" tip to appear and is used for capturing prey. I wouldnt say they have long stringy tentlices but they are longer and fat. ugh. I love the look of the bubbles but i guess my clones dont care what i like.