question to RBTA owners

[lfish]

Does the rbta form a figure 8 shape when it splits?

I have a rose anemone and when I first got it home it seemed to form a slit along the top and I thought it was splitting but instead it relocated in the tank and took on a normal round shape.

Now lately it has been eating and GROWING, and today it has taken a figure 8 shape. Just curious if this is a sign of splitting or not?

[JnS]

could be, just have to wait and see

when it relocated in my tank, that is when it split. I did not even know it split untill almost a month later, so keep a close eye on the spot it moved from.

[lfish]

Ok, I will try to be patient

[TBRUZZ]

[MERCEDES]

Ours just split for the second time. They usually do form a figure 8 but they seem to be the biggest teases forming that and then not splitting. I gave up counting how many times I would see this and think ....maybe this time. If you see the figure 8 & then it recoils into the rock and the edges look dark and kind of sickly you have a good chance of it splitting. You might try to feed it heavy when you see this, sometimes that will help it along, at least that has worked with ours. Be sure to pay attention, I noticed earlier today that it was shriveled and dark around the edges unfortunately I took a nap after the Vikings game and missed it splitting. Tracy told me after it happened but of course didn't think to wake me up men I tell ya! Let us know if it does split it is pretty cool to see. Good luck Sheryl(MERCEDES)

[redlion4]

We've never had ours split, but it sounds like yours may be trying. In addition to extra feeding, another thing that might help it along is a larger water change (20%).

One good source of info on BTA's (especially RBTA's) is the user "finding nemo" on Reef Central. She usually posts in the Anemonies and Clownfish section. IIRC, her name is Karen. She has her own website devoted to RBTA's. Her tank alone must have one or two dozen, or more of them. She has write-ups and lots of pictures about everything from feeding to cloning. I would link you to it, but the Reef Central forum and website are down due to the hurricane. Will try to add a couple of links after it comes back online.

Ryan.

[David Grigor]

I agree with Sherl, It really depends on just how predominate the figure 8 is....... The last time by RBTA split I was lucky and it was on the glass so I got to see it up close.

I am also just amazed at how hardy these things are.... Couple of weeks ago moving it from one tank to the other, I didn't want to put the rock it was on in the new tank becuase it was too big and covered with macro algae. I got the flat screwdriver and hammer out to split the rock. As it goes the rock didn't split in the place it was supposed to and ripped the anemone pretty badly. Almost certain it was going to be a goner but also secretly hoping from the trauma it would split as it looked like the rip went all the way to the mouth. Few weeks later and looks as good as new but never split......

[redlion4]

Here is a link to the home page of Reef Central's user 'finding nemo'. Her site is dedicated almost entirely to RBTA's: http://www.freewebs.com/karenssaltwater/

Here is a direct link to the splitting/cloning section. Some good pics and write up! http://www.freewebs.com/karenssaltwa...ngsequence.htm

Ryan.

[lfish]

hey, thanks so much!!

It looks like it is getting closer? I will have to posts some pics as things progress!

[ReefLuvR]

Oh, I hope it splits! An RBTA would look soooo nice in my tank!

[lfish]

...you will be the first to know!
I keep saying to it: Jen is cheering for you baby...

[ReefLuvR]

Lol