Anemone too large want to splice it...help?

jmchzn123 · 11/26/2011, 03:41 PM

I think I have the largest BTA in captivity. I started a business 3 months ago at the same time this guy split. The split was so huge I got 100.00 at the LFS. I haven't really been paying attention and my wife has been on tank duty and by the time I get home it's so late the lights are out. I noticed everything wilting and dying around the anemone rock. Today I saw him in all his glory. I have a 90gal tank which is now 1/2 consumed by the BTA. The two clowns are having a field day. I saw a YOU TUBE vid where they take the anemone out of the water and surgically with a scalpel cut it in 1/4's right from the feet through the center of the mouth. The first cut is down the middle then the halves are cut again down the middle. Has anyone ever done this?

HippieSmell · 11/26/2011, 03:51 PM

You start a thread about the largest BTA in captivity, and you don't post a pic? Shame on you. No help until you post a pic.

elegance coral · 11/26/2011, 04:41 PM

Even with a BTA, there's a very high likelihood that the anemone will die if you cut it in half. The likelihood is even greater that at least one of the halves will die. You may get lucky with a BTA and have both halves survive, but why risk it? I'd just start feeding it like crazy, and it will probably split on its own, when its ready. I surely would not attempt to cut it in four pieces.

If you're talking about the youtube video where the guy cuts a green carpet in four pieces, you can rest assured every one of those pieces died. In every other video, they show the anemone getting cut in half, but none of them show if the anemone survived or not. Anyone can cut an anemone in half. I could cut my dog in half. That doesn't mean I can get him to survive afterwords though.

rssjsb · 11/26/2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elegance coral

I could cut my dog in half. That doesn't mean I can get him to survive afterwords though.

Plus, it makes them really cranky.

jimmy frag · 11/26/2011, 05:19 PM

hi elegance. are you speaking from experiance on cutting bubble anemones. i always thought it was common to cut a nem in half, carpet or bubble tip. jimmy

jimmy frag · 11/26/2011, 05:20 PM

also shrooms

rssjsb · 11/26/2011, 05:30 PM

I'm not speaking for EC, but it's not common. BTAs often split on their own, but some just get bigger and bigger and never split.

Every so often you see a post by someone who claims to have split a carpet nem, but the poster mostly disappears before they can confirm long-term success. Mushrooms are far less complex animals than anemones.

To the OP, you may just need to sell the nem and start over with a smaller one.

Gill_bucket · 11/26/2011, 05:33 PM

I don't think you should cut it. I read an article about it and it can definitely be done; however the recovery process required a lot of care and attention. With the new business it sounds like spending a lot of your time tinkering with a recovering nem is not high on your list of priorities.

P.S. the article said not to cut the nem into more than two pieces

Toddrtrex · 11/26/2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy frag

hi elegance. are you speaking from experiance on cutting bubble anemones. i always thought it was common to cut a nem in half, carpet or bubble tip. jimmy

E. quadricolors naturally split.

None of the 3 hosting "carpet" anemones naturally split. Some "experts" have claimed to have cut them successfully, but they somehow can not produce pictures of them after the fact. Suggesting cutting a "carpet" anemone is a very very poor idea.

davocean · 11/26/2011, 06:00 PM

A much safer way to get a BTA to split is to over feed it, that usually stresses the nem and induces splitting.
Only thing is it seems to me splits often regain size quickly, so even splitting that nem in any way is going to be a short term solution.

reefstew · 11/26/2011, 06:30 PM

I have done it 3 times spliting it in half & only 1 time 1 half did not make it. I made a thread on it a year ago. Spliting as anemone & selling it.

davocean · 11/26/2011, 06:44 PM

^^ Well there ya go, if you consider 2 out of 3 good odds...
So much of nems are water, IME it takes hardly any time at all before what you split is back to it's original size.

elegance coral · 11/26/2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy frag

hi elegance. are you speaking from experiance on cutting bubble anemones. i always thought it was common to cut a nem in half, carpet or bubble tip. jimmy

I've never cut an anemone in half, and I never will. My statements are based on ~25 years of studying these animals. "Carpet" anemones do not split naturally. They do not possess the powers of regeneration strong enough to survive this treatment with enough regularity to be considered propagation. If someone starts cutting these anemone, they will not be propagating them, they will be killing them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefstew

I have done it 3 times spliting it in half & only 1 time 1 half did not make it. I made a thread on it a year ago. Spliting as anemone & selling it.

I assume you're referring to E. quadricolor???? It's been shown that cutting quadricolor in half can be done successfully. It also carries a level of risk. Your track record is probably much better than most.

elegance coral · 11/26/2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gill_bucket

I don't think you should cut it. I read an article about it and it can definitely be done; however the recovery process required a lot of care and attention. With the new business it sounds like spending a lot of your time tinkering with a recovering nem is not high on your list of priorities.

P.S. the article said not to cut the nem into more than two pieces

By chance was this article written by Anthony Calfo? Do you have a link for this article?

reefstew · 11/26/2011, 08:32 PM

The anemone was a RBTA

T Diddy · 11/26/2011, 10:36 PM

This may sound strange (or not), but a buddy of mine accidentally squirted some aiptasia-x on his large RBTA. It ended up moving and hiding in the rock work, splitting, and emerging as two seemingly healthy specimens.

davocean · 11/26/2011, 10:41 PM

^^ More common than not BTA's split due to stress of some kind, often a new tank alone will give you a split.
The apt X probably stressed it.
Bumping the spot feed up is the safest way to induce a split IMO.

OrionN · 11/27/2011, 07:23 AM

You don't really have to take it out of the tank and cut it completely in half. You can make a significant cut in a healthy BTA and it will start to split. This certainly happened enough accidentally and some intentionally.
This is a much less troublesome, easier and likely less stress on the anemone. You can also stress it by do a large water change. Some of the time this will also do it.

jwoyshnar · 11/27/2011, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HippieSmell

You start a thread about the largest BTA in captivity, and you don't post a pic? Shame on you. No help until you post a pic.

+1!!! Lol.

brycerb · 11/28/2011, 06:27 PM

You anemone is trying to tell you something "GET ME A BIGGER TANK!" (plant in little shop of horrors voice.)

albano · 11/28/2011, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

^^ More common than not BTA's split due to stress of some kind, often a new tank alone will give you a split.

+1`

my RBTA purchased at Reefapalooza in 2007 at 4-5", got to 24" within 2 years...never split, until I upgraded tank in 2010.

Brewchief · 11/28/2011, 09:09 PM

I accidentally caused my 2 RBTA's to split when my timer malfunctioned and my 400w MH light stayed on for 24 hours. When I returned to my office the next day there were 4 BTA's and they all are doing really well.

velvetelvis · 11/30/2011, 09:29 AM

I've also heard of people heavily feeding their BTAs for a few weeks and then doing a large water change to induce a natural split.

Scott Michael says in "Damselfishes and Anemonefishes" that there are two "forms" of E. quadricolor: a large, solitary form, usually found in deeper waters; and a smaller, colonial form, usually found in shallower habitats.

JayinToronto · 11/30/2011, 10:05 PM

Seems to be a bit of a contradiction. Does stress or good living (ie mucho feeding) cause these guys to split? I bought a large rose bubble a month ago. It spit last night. I don't think I stressed it in any way. Nor do I spot feed it.

jimmy frag · 11/30/2011, 10:10 PM

i dont see it as contradiction. its all in the will to servive.

11/26/2011, 03:41 PM	#1
jmchzn123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 240	Anemone too large want to splice it...help? I think I have the largest BTA in captivity. I started a business 3 months ago at the same time this guy split. The split was so huge I got 100.00 at the LFS. I haven't really been paying attention and my wife has been on tank duty and by the time I get home it's so late the lights are out. I noticed everything wilting and dying around the anemone rock. Today I saw him in all his glory. I have a 90gal tank which is now 1/2 consumed by the BTA. The two clowns are having a field day. I saw a YOU TUBE vid where they take the anemone out of the water and surgically with a scalpel cut it in 1/4's right from the feet through the center of the mouth. The first cut is down the middle then the halves are cut again down the middle. Has anyone ever done this? __________________ 10 years running - 90 gal Tech Tank, 48x18x24/ 30 gal sump/ BK 180 mini/ 3 AI Sol Blues/ DSB / UV / Tunze Wave Box/ APEX-Lite controller/ dosing pumps on the way/ Goldfish

11/26/2011, 03:51 PM	#2
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	You start a thread about the largest BTA in captivity, and you don't post a pic? Shame on you. No help until you post a pic. __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

11/26/2011, 04:41 PM	#3
elegance coral They call me EC Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central Florida Posts: 6,208	Even with a BTA, there's a very high likelihood that the anemone will die if you cut it in half. The likelihood is even greater that at least one of the halves will die. You may get lucky with a BTA and have both halves survive, but why risk it? I'd just start feeding it like crazy, and it will probably split on its own, when its ready. I surely would not attempt to cut it in four pieces. If you're talking about the youtube video where the guy cuts a green carpet in four pieces, you can rest assured every one of those pieces died. In every other video, they show the anemone getting cut in half, but none of them show if the anemone survived or not. Anyone can cut an anemone in half. I could cut my dog in half. That doesn't mean I can get him to survive afterwords though. __________________ "Most of the failures with marine aquaria are due to lack of knowledge of the biological processes that occur in the aquarium." Martin A. Moe, Jr. "A scientist seeks the truth, wherever that may lead. A believer already knows the truth, and cannot be swayed no matter how compelling the evidence." Current Tank Info: I'm trying to see how many tanks will fit in my house before the wife loses it.

11/26/2011, 05:30 PM	#7
rssjsb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,243	I'm not speaking for EC, but it's not common. BTAs often split on their own, but some just get bigger and bigger and never split. Every so often you see a post by someone who claims to have split a carpet nem, but the poster mostly disappears before they can confirm long-term success. Mushrooms are far less complex animals than anemones. To the OP, you may just need to sell the nem and start over with a smaller one. __________________ Robin

11/26/2011, 06:00 PM	#10
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	A much safer way to get a BTA to split is to over feed it, that usually stresses the nem and induces splitting. Only thing is it seems to me splits often regain size quickly, so even splitting that nem in any way is going to be a short term solution. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

11/26/2011, 05:19 PM	#5
jimmy frag Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: burlington ontario Posts: 845	hi elegance. are you speaking from experiance on cutting bubble anemones. i always thought it was common to cut a nem in half, carpet or bubble tip. jimmy

11/26/2011, 05:20 PM	#6
jimmy frag Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: burlington ontario Posts: 845	also shrooms

11/26/2011, 05:33 PM	#8
Gill_bucket Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 547	I don't think you should cut it. I read an article about it and it can definitely be done; however the recovery process required a lot of care and attention. With the new business it sounds like spending a lot of your time tinkering with a recovering nem is not high on your list of priorities. P.S. the article said not to cut the nem into more than two pieces

11/26/2011, 06:30 PM	#11
reefstew Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Phoenix ,Az Posts: 1,608	I have done it 3 times spliting it in half & only 1 time 1 half did not make it. I made a thread on it a year ago. Spliting as anemone & selling it.

11/26/2011, 06:44 PM	#12
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	^^ Well there ya go, if you consider 2 out of 3 good odds... So much of nems are water, IME it takes hardly any time at all before what you split is back to it's original size. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

11/26/2011, 08:32 PM	#15
reefstew Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Phoenix ,Az Posts: 1,608	The anemone was a RBTA

11/26/2011, 10:36 PM	#16
T Diddy Slayer of Mice Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 1,338	This may sound strange (or not), but a buddy of mine accidentally squirted some aiptasia-x on his large RBTA. It ended up moving and hiding in the rock work, splitting, and emerging as two seemingly healthy specimens. __________________ America's best are not in America. Current Tank Info: 140 Gallon DSA in-wall, foam/rock wall, DIY LED, 40g sump, Precision Marine Skimmer, 100 gallon refugium, NO3, PO4,NH3/4 undetectable, Mg, Ca, KH...eeehhhhhh?

11/26/2011, 10:41 PM	#17
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	^^ More common than not BTA's split due to stress of some kind, often a new tank alone will give you a split. The apt X probably stressed it. Bumping the spot feed up is the safest way to induce a split IMO. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

11/27/2011, 07:23 AM	#18
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	You don't really have to take it out of the tank and cut it completely in half. You can make a significant cut in a healthy BTA and it will start to split. This certainly happened enough accidentally and some intentionally. This is a much less troublesome, easier and likely less stress on the anemone. You can also stress it by do a large water change. Some of the time this will also do it. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

11/28/2011, 06:27 PM	#20
brycerb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Isle of wight, VA Posts: 541	You anemone is trying to tell you something "GET ME A BIGGER TANK!" (plant in little shop of horrors voice.) __________________ -Luckily, my wife is reef safe so I can use my normal income for this hobby. -My cichlids love RO waste! Current Tank Info: 7.5 gallon box with water in it.

11/28/2011, 09:09 PM	#22
Brewchief Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Highland, Il Posts: 126	I accidentally caused my 2 RBTA's to split when my timer malfunctioned and my 400w MH light stayed on for 24 hours. When I returned to my office the next day there were 4 BTA's and they all are doing really well. __________________ You won't believe it, the guy gave me his whole saltwater setup and his wife helped me load it!! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon corner bowfront with 30 gal. sump and 39 gallon Seahorse tank

11/30/2011, 09:29 AM	#23
velvetelvis Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,749	I've also heard of people heavily feeding their BTAs for a few weeks and then doing a large water change to induce a natural split. Scott Michael says in "Damselfishes and Anemonefishes" that there are two "forms" of E. quadricolor: a large, solitary form, usually found in deeper waters; and a smaller, colonial form, usually found in shallower habitats. __________________ The sea is as near as we come to another world. --Anne Stevenson

11/30/2011, 10:05 PM	#24
JayinToronto Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 72	Seems to be a bit of a contradiction. Does stress or good living (ie mucho feeding) cause these guys to split? I bought a large rose bubble a month ago. It spit last night. I don't think I stressed it in any way. Nor do I spot feed it.

11/30/2011, 10:10 PM	#25
jimmy frag Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: burlington ontario Posts: 845	i dont see it as contradiction. its all in the will to servive.

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