Rock Anemone Propagation

[mcdonous]

I'm loving these rock anemones I'm seeing everywhere now. I managed to pick up a few at a frag swap. How do these propagate? Are they frag-able or do they form clones or sexual spawning?

I can't decide if I like these more or less then maxi-minis but I think the colors and patterns are just outstanding.

-Steve

 

[wyssj]

They can NOT be propagated like maxi minis can. I was looking into getting a rock nem and I was wondering the same question. From what everyone told me (on multiple forums) and from what I found online, they only produce sexually. Therefore, you would need a male and female nem. Cutting them will cause the nem to die.

 

[mcdonous]

That's good to know. I tend not to be a cutter or fragger anyway. Have they reproduced successfully in tanks? I would assume they are broadcast spawners, any info on how they reproduce or ways to tell a male from a female.

I have three of them currently and am on the lookout for reasonably priced additions.

-Steve

 

[FarsideTropical]

Don't frag it! Although rock anemones are pretty hardy, they will only become damaged if you do so.
-Liza

 

[velvetelvis]

CORAL magazine had an issue a couple of months back with a feature article on a place that's working on culturing rock anemones--I think it was Tropicorium. Here's a link to the article:

http://www.reef2rainforest.com/2012/08/27/ugly-duckling-anemones-in-a-new-light/

 

[garygb]

They definitely successfully reproduce in aquariums. I have about 20 ranging in size from smaller than a dime to adult. They are internal brooders, meaning the eggs are kept within the body of the adult until they become larvae, then the larvae appear to settle close to the adult on a rock.

Like you, I'm very fond of this species. I have several greens, now I have a few reds from a nice red one I've had for a couple of years, and some mottled green and white. I completely agree with the other posters, this species does not appear to asexually reproduce. I think fragging would be a death sentence for E. crucifer.

 

[velvetelvis]

Reviving a six-month-old thread...I just acquired two of the rock anemones that Tropicorium has been propagating (bought one and they threw in a freebie ). These are the prettiest E. crucifer I've ever seen, even under normal daylight-spectrum lighting. I just put them into my new Florida biotope about 45 minutes ago, so I'll try to post a pic later when they're not ticked off.

 

[NanoJosh]

thats pretty awesome i just got my first one this week its in my nano nem tank I hope to get more soon