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RE: Rose BTA, split in three. Q's re: behavior

Anthony Calfo — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 16:43:57 GMT

heehee... or a reef tank filled with Coca-cola

RE: Rose BTA, split in three. Q's re: behavior

Anthony Calfo — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 16:43:07 GMT

movements away from light are not necessarily a response to light (they may be moving because of water flow or sensation of other cnidarians stream, so to speak). But if it was, do consider...

Under pc lamps over such a short time, I promise you that what you saw was not growth, my friend, but rather simply expansion in an attempt to pan for weak light (cnidarians will spread their tentacles in low light in an effort to spread their symbiotic algae packets with hope to catch more of the weakly available light). In such cases... the movement to a darker spot may simply be movement away to find a brighter spot (but failing).

No worries though... this is a truly hardy anemone. Please take the time to read the other useful anemone threads we have here (I have some listed under "discussions" in the post under the sticky that is atop this forum called "Fav links...")

Please do followup with more questions as needed. We are all here to help each other

RE: Rose BTA, split in three. Q's re: behavior

Mark — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 14:18:28 GMT

I had assumed the move to darker regions was a post splitting behavior

Usually they'll move before splitting. After splitting, it is not unusual for them to stay in a darkened area for up to a couple weeks.

...now I'm thinking the stronger light induced the splitting and they, in fact, prefer the lesser light areas. This specimen had previously (in the FOWLR) refused to move from its chosen spot despite the prompting alterations in conditions (flow, shading) I employed to induce it.

Entacmaea quadricolor anemones can be kept successfully under a wide range of lighting (PC, VHO, MH) and tank conditions. There is a strong relationship between changes in conditions and splitting. In your case, you induced stress (trying to induce it to move), changed water conditions (new tank), changed lighting (PC to MH), and changed feeding regimens all within a short period of time... that's pretty much everything I'd suggest someone do if they are hell bent on getting their anemone to split.

The best suggestion I can give you, at this point, is to keep your tank conditions stable and leave them alone for awhile so they can try to adjust to all the changes. They can't eat for a couple weeks after splitting, so don't try to make them. And, resist the urge to try to "help" them out by moving rocks, changing flow, etc. They can/will move. If they want more light, they'll move and find it. After three weeks or so, try feeding them again if you can get to them easily. Small, shredded chunks at first. And, not every day, once or twice a week is fine... they need some time to digest the food.

Most of all, please make sure ALL your pump/closed loop intakes are covered with sponges so you don't end up with shredded anemones.

HTH,

- Mark

RE: Rose BTA, split in three. Q's re: behavior

NicoleC — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 08:13:28 GMT

I would say that the anemone definately split under stress, and the lighting change was just the last straw. The fading color and short tentacles are signs of starvation. I would feed them daily with small pieces of food (mysis size) instead of large chunks, until they regain their color and start to grow. Often they have difficulty actually digesting large pieces of food.

The extra light will also probably be a boon for their health.

Now, if only mine would split

Rose BTA, split in three. Q's re: behavior

annette34429 — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 07:53:57 GMT

I've been reading the other thread about a BTA not splitting with some interest as I have been hoping to see this happen in my own tank. My own Rose BTA looks very similar to that one though its tentacles are not as long.

It had been living in a 12g FOWLR under PC lights for about 2 mos, when I noticed that its color seemed to be fading. during this time it accepted bits of shrimp daily and sometimes twice a day almost every day. It's hard to say how much it grew but I would guess to only about 6-7" across from maybe 5". I'm in the process of setting up a larger tank with some MH lighting. After noticing the color fading, I decided about a wk ago to move it to the larger tank hoping the stronger lights would restore its color. The pic shows its original color, it is now a pale pink almost a flesh tone. Also, after the move I got some silversides for it and it continued to eat at the same rate. I also thought that maybe a change in diet might improve its color. Well, about 3 days ago it split in two. Both pieces retreated to darker parts of the tank. The larger piece was completely under some rock. I have been reluctant to disturb them as I imagined they might need to rest after splitting but they chose places to be where I can't feed them. This morning I moved the rock to get a better look and discovered the larger piece had split again. I now have 3 2" specimens.

I had assumed the move to darker regions was a post splitting behavior, now I'm thinking the stronger light induced the splitting and they, in fact, prefer the lesser light areas. This specimen had previously (in the FOWLR) refused to move from its chosen spot despite the prompting alterations in conditions (flow, shading) I employed to induce it.

Please be so kind as to offer suggestions and/or enlighten me re: my stated assumptions. I would like my to see their color improve to what it was, and encourage them to live in a part of the tank where I can reach them (the latter I'm sure will take some aquascaping).

Appreciate any comments as I'm new to the hobby,