spliting

[tb27272]

Do others have anemones that split often. I had three bubble tips, sold one because they were overtaking my 29. So, the largest split-back to three. Yesterday the largest, split, into three, now at 5. Anybody in the western part of NC needing one? tommy

 

[redvipe2010]

Splits are usually a sign of stress.

 

[tb27272]

I do not know what could be the stressor, the tank has been stable for quite a long time, water parameters are always as they should be. These are second generation tank raised anemones. From what I gather from the person who took care of the tank these came out of there was originally one anemone and she/he/it has gone to more than ten in a couple of years.

 

[redvipe2010]

It may be the tank size that is causing stress. What are your water parameters? Other livestock?

 

[tb27272]

Nitrates: 0
Salinity: 1.023
Temp:78
Alk: normal
PH: 8.2

There is one cleaner goby, one clown, one lawnmover blenny, and a six line wrasse.

 

[tb27272]

Nitrates: 0
Salinity: 1.023
Temp:78
Alk: normal
PH: 8.2

There is one cleaner goby, one clown, one lawnmover blenny, and a six line wrasse. The one that split was huge. All three now look healthy.

 

[redvipe2010]

Your salinity is too low. I would slowly bring it up to 1.026. Temp is a bit low, I would bring it up to about 80.

 

[Anemone]

Yes, BTAs can split due to stress, but I think it might be a bit of a stretch to say that splits are "usually" a sign of stress.

If your splits are doing well (growing and splitting again), then don't worry about it.

Your SG is a bit low, but your temp is fine. The recommended temp for BTAs was 76 degrees for many years. If anything, I find they split more often in higher temperatures.

Kevin

 

[redvipe2010]

I have always been able to find the cause of my splits. In my experience, it has always been stress related.

 

[Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10026570#post10026570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redvipe2010
I have always been able to find the cause of my splits. In my experience, it has always been stress related.

That's a tough call. How does one define "stress" for a BTA? Because it splits? That's circular reasoning, and perhaps some things defined as "stress" are actually optimum conditions for asexual reproduction?

If all splits were the reults of stress, one would expect a loss of vitality in a population that undergoes repeated splits (because the anemones are obvioulsy under long-term stress), and that hasn't been shown.

FWIW,
Kevin

 

[redvipe2010]

I have never experienced a loss. If the anemone is healthy to begin with, it should be able to handle the stress. I'm not saying that this persons anemones are unhealthy. I do believe something is causing stress in the tank. I agree with you when you say some things defined as stress are optimum conditions for asexual reproduction. There is no doubt in my mind, that if I went and made some changes to my tank today to cause some stress, I'd double the population of anemones in my tank. I personally would rather have a few large anemones in one tank than a bunch of little ones. Sure they are nice to sell or trade to others, but it is a real pain for me to get them out of the tank.

In my experience it has been mostly equipment failure or water parameters, or transfer from one tank to another. Some have been temperature related, where a heater has malfunctioned. New bulbs or a large water change can also make an anemone split. I have 3 tanks with anemones. When something goes wrong in one tank, they all split. It doesn't always have to be a massive change.