Rbta

Went to one of the LFS today and got me a Sea Hare to clean up th GHA in my tank. While looking at some of their SPS I saw a Red Bubble Tip Anemone. It was about the size of a baseball and was $45. I thought not bad so I had the associate bag it up as well. I drove home and placed it into the tank. It stayed drawn up for about an hour or so. I walked past the tank a few minutes later and discovered it had split into 2 about the size of ping pong balls. So I got 2 for $45. Not a bad deal!

I do have a question though. What causes them to split and why did this one split when it was still so small? Also I want it to get big and not split again, What can I do to prevent it from splitting before it gets big?

 

First off, not to be a downer, but if you're having algae issues then you shouldn't be buying a nem. They need really good water quality which is also most likely the reason why it split. They will split when conditions are poor as a last ditch survival tactic; larger numbers means better chance one will survive. What are your tank specs, i.e. lighting, size, age, levels.

 

wont they also split if conditions are very favorable?
( although i would think it will take time for it to split if that was the case)
but i do agree with your point.
and yes we need more info already stated above.
lights
age
water parameters. etc..

 

Yeah, they will split if conditions are favorable but if it's splitting immediately after a move then that's from the stress of the move and/or new tank conditions.

 

Its a 120 gallon tank with about 160# of LR that has been up and running for 4 months so the algae is from the new cycle. I have 2-250W icecaps with Feeflux 10K lights and 4-36" T5's. I am running a 30 gallon refugium with cheato in the refugium. I have an ASM-1 skimmer that is definately doin it's job. Parameters are as follows:
Salinity 1.024,
Temp 79,
PH 8,
Ammonia 0,
Nitrite 0,
Nitrate 10,
Phosphate .25.
I know the Nitrates are a little high and the Phos is also a little high but the parameters are not that bad.

Is it possible that it was getting ready to split in the store and just so happened it finished once I got it home?

 

Unfortunately I would see if you could take it back. 4 months is not long enough for a tank to be going for a nem. The recommendation is at least a year. With the size you said, I would highly doubt that it was in the process of splitting in the store. You could attempt to keep it but keep in mind that if it does start to die you need to get it out right away as it could kill your entire tank.

 

While I think you have been given good advice and good explantions to your issues, I would like to weigh in and slightly disagree with the last post.

Yes, 4 months is premature to add anemones, but at this point the anemones have already split in your tank, and yes, probably due to stress from the change of environment, but I would also like to add that I have never seen an unhealty anemone split. So the fact that it did split is a good indicator that your anemone is in good health.

I would not take the anemone back to the store. The store is not going to refund your money in its entirety, and the move back to another environment will most likely stress the anemone further. Other than the anemone split event, you have not described any further health issues. I would sit back monitor the anemones to make sure they dont die in your tank, and lets not forget to ENJOY your 2 new anemones.

Bubble Tip anemones are among the hardiest of anemones, they grow very quickly if cared for properly. Wait 2 weeks for the anemones to heal and try feeding them krill or silversides.

Cisco
CulturedMarine.com

 

I've got 3 BTA's in my 55g, 2 RBTA's & 1 GTBA. My RBTA split 20 days after having it, most likely due to my overfeeding. BTA's normally split for survival, overfeeding, & possibly if they are happy. However, I think the overfeeding = happy for the most part. I waited about 6 months to put my first BTA in and it's been fine.

Just be very wary of it moving around and make sure to screen off powerheads/intakes so you don't crash your tank from getting stuck & dying in one. I would recommend some plastic guttar guard and zip-ties.

Your lighting sounds fine for the nems and you can target feed every so often, I give mine krill & raw shrimp which they gobble up. My RBTA's have tripled in size very quickly, very hardy nems.

Here they are (I have that koralia in the background meshed off now):

 

Well I have a GBTA also and it is doing great. So I think they will be fine as well. I think the general rule of thumb on everything is that 4 months is to early. I was told my SPS was introduced to early (3mo) and they are doing nicely, should wait a year. I think if you monitor and stay on top of things, you can maintain anything even in a young tank. Just takes a little more effort. Just my .02. I did reefs for many years and got out for 10 or so years, I am amazed at how much it has changed.

TonyT

 

i added a purple LTA to my tank 2 1/2 months ago under perfect parameters which have been consistent to date aswell as sufficient lighting etc.., without a split. it has literally doubled in size though, i feed it 1/4 of a silverside a week. i have two clowns that host it so im sure it is feed x amount more by them.

i read article upon article about them before i added it and have yet to understand anemones survival circumstances in saltwater aquariums. i was simply in love with the species and figured i would give it a shot.