[Nowas Reef]

Ive had a RBTA in my small 25gal for a little over 2 months. It's in there w/4 perculas, 2 pepermint shrimp, a black serpent star and a few snails/crabs.

The anemonie has split twice now and I have at least 4, maybe 5 now.

Is it ok that it keeps splitting?

I keep feeding them and after they split the new clones look bad for a few days then open back up.

This is my first experience with anemonies and I think it's cool...just want to make sure it's ok and that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be.

 

[skylergirl]

Sounds like whatever you are doing is making them very happy

Good job in providing such favorable conditions. They mostly split/clone when they are happy.

 

[Dejavu]

I would check all your levels spliting can so time be a sign of something bad!

 

[Newts]

My BTAs also split back when I first added them to tank. They turned white and crawled into the rocks. When they emerged there were about six of them. This took place over about three month period. I added the BTs at the same time, one with a mated pair of Maroon clowns and one with a mated pair of saddle back clowns. I have heard that they will split when stressed, sort of a servival tacktic, and I believe I experienced it first hand. That might not be the case if your RBT looks healthy, mine didn't, but they all recovered to very healthy anemones. I have removed 4 since then and the other two have done fine since, but never have split again. That was three years ago. Just thought I would tell my story in case it can help.

 

[skylergirl]

I wrote to Dr. Ron Schmeck (spelling) to inquire about BTA splitting due to stress. He basically said "NO", they only clone under favorable conditions

 

[Nowas Reef]

Thanks Skylergirl......Well thats good news!!!

 

[ystmarroon]

All animals react to good and bad stimuli. Although i don't want to argue with Ron Schimek, I have to disagree. One example is Pocillopora, it will "bail out" polyps when an environmental stress is brought on. BTA's will and do, do this as well. That doesn't mean that is what is happening here. Most of the time when it's bad, they only do it once as a last ditch effort. Sounds like yours are very happy because they keep doing it. Wouldn't worry about it. Unless, they become a problem.

 

[Dejavu]

splitting can usally happen from water movement, stress and feeding, if you don't want it to split don't feed it as much.

 

[Newts]

While Shimek is a very knowlagable person, I believe he is wrong here. Mine split like crazy and it was obviuos they were stressed. After they were accustomed to their inviorment, they haven't split in three years. I just recently took one out and only have one now, but they are very healthy, with great color and growth. If you want to believe one person, then why not switch to some Bio-assay salt, many did and paid a big price, if you know what I mean. .