sea bae anemones

skippy12094

New member
I know this question is kind of out there but I will ask it anyway. Is there any way to breed sea bae or any type of anemone that will host clowns? I have done some research and the only thing I was able to find was an article http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/nsw/northcoast/200504/s1339204.htm
basically saying that they have bred them. I sent an email asking for info but no one ever got back to me. I would love to figure out how to do that. If anyone has any info please let me know thanks.

Mark
 
I believe seabae';s can be propagated similarly to the way BTAs are cut in half. check out the marine depot forums. I believe in Anthony Calfo's section there is a lot of threads discussing this.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14918879#post14918879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NirvanaFan
I believe seabae';s can be propagated similarly to the way BTAs are cut in half. check out the marine depot forums. I believe in Anthony Calfo's section there is a lot of threads discussing this.

I don't think this information is correct, I believe sebaes only reproduce sexually. Just like a M.doreensis if you cut this anemone in half it will surely die.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14919531#post14919531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wicked_NaCl_h2o
I don't think this information is correct, I believe sebaes only reproduce sexually. Just like a M.doreensis if you cut this anemone in half it will surely die.

They will not surely die. See the links below. Now as to the ops original question, check out the very last link. Most of the threads are related to BTA, but the same concepts apply to pretty much every anemone. Good luck if you try, and don't forget to post pictures.
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic33966-13-1.aspx
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic50243-13-1.aspx
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic24714-13-1.aspx
 
WOW!!!

WOW!!!

Thank you very much. This is just what I was looking for. Have you done this?? I'm a little scared to cut my anemone in half especally because it is so big I would hate for it to die then I would feel real bad. I will keep this thread posted as to my progression though this. Again thanks I couldn't find anthony's threads anywhere until now. I wanted to send him a message but it looks like he hasen't been on in about a year. I wonder what happend...
 
I'm not sure what happened with him and MarineDepot. I think he just wanted to concentrate on writing his books, but I'm not sure about that.

There is always a risk of killing the anemone when you cut it. You'll have to have a dedicated system to put the cut anemones in afterwards. They will release chemicals that can really harm corals, and then the corals will release toxins and can hurt the weakened anemones.

I am starting to set up a BTA propagation system. I'm letting the tank cycle and going to be getting a BTA soon hopefully. There are a few people on here that have propagated BTA, but I'm not sure about seabae anemones. At one point RedSojna and some others were, and I think zaraema is now.

Try sending them some PMs, they could probably help you out.
 
Thanks for getting back to me so soon. Where do I find these people. Do I find them on here or on marine depot site? I see you live in Rochester. I live in Troy near Albany. Do you have a lot of aquarium stores out there for you to sell youe annemonies to. That is another thing that I am thinking. After you cut these and clone them how many do you think you could sell to a store. I cant imagine a store is going to want hords of annemonies, but who knows maybe they would. My last question is what do I need for a propagation tank or system? Thanks
Mark
 
Re: WOW!!!

Re: WOW!!!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14941481#post14941481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skippy12094
Thank you very much. This is just what I was looking for. Have you done this?? I'm a little scared to cut my anemone in half especally because it is so big I would hate for it to die then I would feel real bad. I will keep this thread posted as to my progression though this. Again thanks I couldn't find anthony's threads anywhere until now. I wanted to send him a message but it looks like he hasen't been on in about a year. I wonder what happend...

Don't cut your anemone! I sure hope you haven't yet.:(

Anyone can cut an anemone in half. Keeping the two halves alive and healthy for the next 6 months is a whole different story. Hacking an anemone in two does not equal anemone propagation IMHO.

You call your anemone a "sebae". Before you cut it in half you should probably get a positive ID. Sebae is a nickname that has been used for several different species. The power of regeneration can be very different from one species to another.

You said that you don't want your anemone to die. If I were you, I would not cut this anemone until someone could PROVE they have successfully propagated the species you have. Meaning, they cut the anemone in half, and both halves lived happily ever after. Simply showing that the anemone can be cut in two is meaningless, and proves nothing.

Some of us experiment with the animals we have. At times we have to come to terms with the fact that the animal may die in the process. This may not work well for you. Experimenting with an animal that you have watched grow up, and the family has grown attached to, may not be a good idea.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14942474#post14942474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skippy12094
Thanks for getting back to me so soon. Where do I find these people. Do I find them on here or on marine depot site? I see you live in Rochester. I live in Troy near Albany. Do you have a lot of aquarium stores out there for you to sell youe annemonies to. That is another thing that I am thinking. After you cut these and clone them how many do you think you could sell to a store. I cant imagine a store is going to want hords of annemonies, but who knows maybe they would. My last question is what do I need for a propagation tank or system? Thanks
Mark

There are a bunch of great stores in the Rochester area. Very high success rates with both halves healing within 2 or 3 weeks can be achieved with BTA (over 90%). I wouldn't plan on selling hundreds a month unless you can sell to a wholesaler, but I'm not too sure if that will happen. I would like to get maybe 10 or 15 anemones a month. That would probably supply most of the anemones to the stores around me.

You need a whole dedicated system to house the anemones. If you cut the anemone and put it in your display, it could wipe out your tank. I have another tank, sump, skimmer, t5 lights, powerheads, etc. This system is in my basement.

Those forums on MarineDepot have a bunch of great resources on propagation systems. Most of your questions will be answered there.

The people I mentioned are here on RC.


Like I said before, there is always a risk of killing the anemone when you cut it in half. I forgot to mention before, you can watch videos on youtube about cutting them also. Cutting the family anemone may not be a good idea if you and the family are really attached.

The system requires frequent water changes, especially after you cut them in half. Lighting isn't nearly as important as it is in a reef. You need to feed the anemones very often (like every other day). You would be surprised how fast they grow when they are small. Like 99% of animals, they grow fast when they are small/young, and their growth slows as they get older/bigger.

Remember, I haven't actually cut an anemone yet, but I have researched the topic for many many hours and hopefully will be starting with a BTA soon.
 
Thanks again for all the input. I am not going to cut my anemone it's just too nice. Remember back in my first post I mentiond that I had contacted the the National Marine Science Centre at Coffs Harbour, on the NSW mid-north coast, in Austrailia and ask them questions about how they have bred sea anemones? Well they have finall gotten back to me. Apparently the type I have is called Heteractis crispa and according to them this particular species cannot be cut to form 2 new anemones. I guess they didn't have any luck with it. I have everything I need to start but I am moving within a week and my new apartment will have a much bigger 2nd bedroom which I will trun into a coral prop, sea anemone and hatchery all in one :D I hope. I know I can do the corals anyway. Here is the email from the research center.

**********************************************************
Hi Mark



Thanks for your enquiry. I have been working on the sexual reproduction of Entacmaea quadricolor and Heteractis crispa for the past 7 years. I’m guessing that the anemone you have is Heteractis crispa. There is a great book by Fautin and Allen that is available free online if you need to confirm the species of anemone you have. If it is Heteractis crispa, these species are only known to reproduce by spawning and sexes are separate. I would be hesitant to try any type fraging technique with this species as it is not known to undergo asexual reproduction.



I hope this information helps and good luck with your efforts, I’m really glad you are doing it!



Kind regards

Anna



Anna Scott, PhD
Associate Lecturer
Treasurer, Australian Coral Reef Society
Southern Cross University
National Marine Science Centre
PO Box J321
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Australia


From: Shari Pearce
Sent: Monday, 27 April 2009 9:32 AM
To: 'Anna Scott'
Subject: FW: sea anemone breeding



Hi Anna,



Please see the message below. I’ll leave this one to you! J



Cheers!



Shari J



Shari Pearce

Administrative Officer

National Marine Science Centre

Ph: (02) 66483900

Fax: (02)66516580



www.nmsc.edu.au




Sent: Friday, 24 April 2009 5:08 AM
To: info@nmsc.edu.au
Subject: sea anemone breeding



Hi,
I am starting a project where I plan on breeding True Percula Clown fish to sell to a local aquarium shop in my home town. I have done a lot of research on this and have everything I need to begin, including patience. During the process I was going to frag all of my soft polyp corals as well. I was wondering if it was possible to breed my sea bae anemone? and if it is what exactly it entails. I have read the article (Wednesday, 6 April 2005) on the web and it says you have done it successfully. Is this something I could do in house? please reply I am also interested in doing this to help cut down on the loss of anemones in the natural habitat.
Thank you,
Mark S.
New York
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14961675#post14961675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skippy12094
Thanks again for all the input. I am not going to cut my anemone it's just too nice.

That's good to hear.

Apparently the type I have is called Heteractis crispa and according to them this particular species cannot be cut to form 2 new anemones.

Your anemone is most likely crispa, but it could be several other species as well. If you can post a pic, I'm sure you can get a positive ID.

I agree with them. I do not believe that crispa, and many other host species, can be propagated by cutting them in half. Those that are known to divide naturally, like quadracolor and magnifica can be propagated this way. The others.......I'll believe it when I see it.
 
I'm glad that you're not going to take the chance at cutting your anemone if you're not fully confident in doing it.

Elegance, I think we're just going to keep disagreeing on this subject. In the links that I provided before, Anthony said that he has had nothing but success when propagating crispa's. There is no doubt that he has a lot of knowledge about the subject, and has great husbandry skills, and I'll take his word that this anemone is a good candidate for propagation. He's not super-man though. There is no reason why a person that is diligent and performs good care and husbandry can't have the same success. I can't remember, but I think someone PMed me here or on MarineDepot that was doing this with sebae's but I can't remember.

I really need to get my prop system up. I was going to do BTA since they are in more demand, but doing something that not everyone is doing would be nice. If my LFS gets a decent sebae in, I may just try it.

My suggestion to the op is to really read up on the subject. Most of what you will find is related to BTA, but most of that information can be applied to sebae's as well (lighting, flow, water changes, substrate/lack thereof, etc). Good luck if you ever try to propagate them.
 
I glanced at all those links, and didn't see any long term success stories about cutting a Crispa in half. And the care requirements for them and BTAs aren't the same.

Just because one person has had success with it ---- and I would like to see a thread/pictures about it --- doesn't mean that it is easy for everyone. IMO, to say that isn't wise advice.

Should note, that I don't agree with more then a few things that Anthony has said.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14966607#post14966607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NirvanaFan
Elegance, I think we're just going to keep disagreeing on this subject. In the links that I provided before, Anthony said that he has had nothing but success when propagating crispa's.


I guess you're right. We simply won't be able to see eye to eye on this. I won't blindly fallow the unfounded claims made by anyone of their own superior abilities. Discovering how to asexually propagate host species, like crispa, would be a very important discovery. One that merits documentation and publishing of the findings. To date, as far as I know, no one has accomplished this feat. Making claims as to ones own abilities without any evidence to back it up is meaningless.

There is no doubt that he has a lot of knowledge about the subject, and has great husbandry skills, and I'll take his word that this anemone is a good candidate for propagation. He's not super-man though.
.

If he's not super man, why should we blindly fallow anything he says? Especially when he can't, or hasn't, offered up any evidence to back up his claim?
 
WOW. I don't know but I'm not going to try it on my aneomone but I am going to try it. Whats the phrase, Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained. I have read though most of the threads that Anthony has written and he is a smart guy. If I can only cut up BTAs then I'll only cut up BTAs. The only reason I have a cripsa (if thats what it is) is because when I first got my tank, the guy at the fish store told me that that type of anemone is the one clownfish like. If he told me a paper towel tube would work then that probably would be in there. I reall makes no difference to me. I'm going to read some more then I'm going to read some more and when I'm ready to buy a BTA I'm do some more reading. What I'm wondering is why a aquarium store that has so much expirence in selling and buying corals, fish and anemones doesn't read up on how to do this themselves. I am deffinetly going to keep this a secret if it works because the I can sell back to them indefinetly. Right.
Mark
 
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