rose bta split

[zhenya]

Hi all, just want to share that my anemone finaly divided and now I have two It took it a few days and today it's first time I saw it perched above the original.I offered it some food and it did take it and eat it.I always make sure that it's realy eating and not releasing it later.
Anyway, Ihave the anemone close to a year and it grew quite big,12-14" across and it's first time that it had made a clone of itself.Now to find it a good home!

[zhenya]

One more pic of it

[hcp28]

Wow that looks great I'd offer to take it if my tank could support it... but alas I am a poor college student with a small 20g bow front I converted to a reeftank. one day when I move off and get a real job maybe I can have my very own anenomae.

Henry

[Ninong]

COOL!

[zhenya]

Thanks guys!
Now I just have to find out if splitting of the anemone a good sign or bad.I have couple of books and have to refresh my crush course The green bta in same tank has been with me for three yrs and never attempted to divide,just keeps growing and I'm afraid I'll have to look for someone to take it of my hands,someone with a large tank

[Ninong]

Originally posted by zhenya:

Now I just have to find out if splitting of the anemone a good sign or bad.

Neither. It's just a form of reproduction or, technically speaking, growth--since it's not sexual reproduction. All anemones are capable of sexual reproduction but some are also capable of asexual reproduction by splitting. Joyce Wilkerson suggests that there are three different genetic strains of Entacmaea quadricolor: a small variety that clones, a large variety that clones, and a solitary variety that appears not to clone.

[zhenya]

Thanks Ninong!That particular book I don't have but it's on my list to get
As soon as I come back from vacation I'm ordering one.it has been coral books for the most part and just a few booklets on the other inhabitants that I have,never enough time to read about all things that live in our aquariums but I'm working on it.

[Ninong]

Yes, Joyce Wilkerson's book, Clownfishes, is an excellent book to have and it's very inexpensive.

In the meantime, here is one that is totally FREE: http://biodiversity.uno.edu/ebooks/intro.html

From the chapter on reproduction:

"In addition to sexual reproduction, some coelenterates undergo asexual reproduction. Entacmaea quadricolor is one of these. A polyp can divide longitudinally, resulting in two, somewhat smaller individuals, probably within the space of a few days. Each then grows to an appropriate size, divides, and so on. All descendants of the original anemone (the result of sexual reproduction) form a clone, a group of genetically identical individuals. In this species, each polyp is relatively small, but clonemates remain next to one another so their tentacles are confluent, and the associated anemonefish apparently regard them as a single large anemone.

"This is so mainly for shallow-water individuals; those in deeper water grow large, and do not divide (see chapter 1). Several other species of actinians also have two different reproductive modes: small animals that clone and large ones that do not. This appears true of Heteractis magnifica, too. In the center of its range (i.e. in eastern Indonesia, on the Great Barrier Reef, in New Guinea), it occurs as single, large individuals. To the east and west (i.e. in western Indonesia and Malaysia, and in Tahiti), several to very many small individuals of identical colouration are typically clustered together, appearing to be a single large (or huge!) anemone. Based on their shared colour and their proximity, we infer that they are clonemates."

[zhenya]

Tghank you very much for the link Ninong!

This is invaluble to me.

[deano]

I purchase a green BTA about 6months ago. With in the first 2 weeks I had it, it split into two. Once I finished remodeling my basement I had to move all my tanks to my new fish room. Off course to do this I had to all but tear down the tank the 2 BTAs were. Once I got the tank moved. Within 2 weeks the original BTA split again. Now I have 3 BTAs. The story continues. In my fish room I built a in the wall 135 rr. It has been up for about 11months. At about 8 months (refering to te 135), 2 months after I purchased the original BTA. I felt that the 135 was ready for everything that was in my 45, including the 3 BTAs. So I moved them over to the 135 and within 2 weeks the original split again. Now I have 4 BTA's. If my time lines is right the BTAs have been in the 135 now for about 3 months (sorry not into logging changes in my tanks) . They have not spilt since and the only one to ever split was the original.

So my conclusion is that changes in the BTA's enviroment have an affect on the BTAs splitting, is it caused by stress, I wouldn't no. But I will tell you it has not affected the original BTA one bit. It is twice the size (10 to 12" in its full glory) of the others and a very healthy BTA.

Tha sad part of this whole story is I decided 1s enough 4s to meny. So I was going to trade three back to my LFS. Well I could only get one out of the tank because the other three were settled in on some large pieces of base rock. Which ment I would have to tear the tank down or stress the BTAs trying to pry them of the rocks. So I took the one I could safely get out to my LFS and traded for 20 nassarious snails. The same LFS I purchaed the original BTA from. They have had it for about 3 weeks now. Under NO light, it has release it zooxanthellae algae and I am afraid I have done the wrong thing. Because I dought it will make it. The good news is that I still have 3 very healthy BTAs.

[scubadude]

Those are gorgeous Gene! You guys that are experiencing splits how much do you feed them?

[Aquaman]

Zhenya, If your looking for a good home for your new split then give me an email, aquaman@outer-reef.com

[zhenya]

Rocky,
I feed my anemones every other day with fresh fish and guts choped up.You should see me -a regular fish monger

Aquaman,
This first split was promised to Dr.Ron and he's taking it but not till April as it's realy cold where he lives.So it'll have to be in my tank for awhile.I just wanted to make a gift to him for all his help that he gave me for free;) If it will divide again I will post it and who ever want it will just have to share shipping expence,the anemone will be free

Thank you all for your comments and for sharing your knowlege and expiriences.

[slojmn]

zhenya, what a trip I just posted to a thread you were on in the clam forum talking about what a great looking rose that was and that when it decides to split you will have a great clone. I had yet to make it over here and read this thread. Weird timing;) . Congratulations

[zhenya]

Thank you Slojmn!
Yea,this is sertainly weird timing but I'll take it.I've promised Dr.Ron a first born of this anemone and he said yes;)
But, it'll have to hang arround for a spell as in his part of the country is freeeeezing right now and I'll send it to him in a April or May.Meanwhile it'll get the best of care and food.I feed it salmon and inards of it and some crastations.
If no body said welcome ,than I'll say it WELCOME TO REEFLAND SLOJMN!

[deano]

scubadude

I feed mine once a week. the type of food I fed them depends on my mood. freezedried krill, kwick and easy boosted with Selcon. Frozen foods uncooked shrimp, or Ocean Nutrition trigger formula. Of course what ever my maroon clown brings them. I try to feed them directly cause the clown will bring the food to whom ever it is closes to at the time. My concern is one BTA might get more than the others.

[scubadude]

Originally posted by deano
of course what ever my maroon clown brings them. I try to feed them directly cause the clown will bring the food to whom ever it is closes to at the time.

LOL, dude i can relate my maroon does the same thing, he pretty much is the godfather in my tank, if something happens it has to go through him first

Has anyone seen Maximus's BTA's ? they are awesome, slojmn didnt u get yours from him? heres a pic of his (he told me i could post them)

[slojmn]

scubadude, Yes I did get my Rose BTA from Sen. It is an awesome little bugger. It split in September. I just love the color and health of this beauty. Mine has not lost the bubble tips at all in the 7 months I have had it which is really cool.

[kevinpo]

scubadude,
Are those all clones in the picture or are they different anemones?

Regards,
Kevin

[scubadude]

Originally posted by kevinpo
Are those all clones in the picture or are they different anemones?

Regards,
Kevin

I believe some are splits and some are totally different....dont quote me I will try and drag him in here Geez that one in the center w/the bulbous tips is screaming! What type of lighting u guys keep on these little jewels?