I am not starting an argument as I am far from an anemone expert. However, this
http://biodiversity.uno.edu/ebooks/ch1.html#entac
article seems to say that there are two forms of Bubbletips. One of which normally forms clusters.
Also can anyone tell me why RBTA's are suddenly so common, and inexpensive. :question: A year ago they were rare, and cost $200.00. :confused:

I heard that they were expensive because it had to do with where they were collected. Apparently they were originaly found in a protected area and collectors had to wait till the anemones moved out of the protected area, but now they have been found in other areas in HUGE amounts. ive seen some pictures and videos of football size areas covered in RBTAs.

I'm not sure what exactly is your point? I already said if they are clonal siblings that there should not be an incompatibility issue. If they are not clonal siblings, however, then there might be issues. Perhaps two of the deeper water varieties (the singular anemone type) would not have an issue and maybe only the shallower water varieties would both start battling it out via diffuse competition (allelopathy); who knows. There are documented cases where anemones of the same species (BTA) would not get along; plus there are documented cases where that they have gotten along. Basically if they are not clonal siblings then it's a crapshoot. If they are clonal siblings then they are forming their own colony and of course they should get along fine.

Either way however, my original point is that I think 4 BTA's is too many for a 25g for long-term success. Find me any documentation that proves me wrong. BTW I love it when people quote Fautin & Allen to me; I have that book memorized and it is my favourite text. Incidentally, you will find that neither author endorses the keeping of hosting anemone species of any kind in captivity, never mind being 4 in a 25g or one in a 1000g.


Supply and demand .. My assumption (and that of others on RC) is that a pile of rose BTA's were found in a collectible area. Plus BTA's tend to split so even the supply of captive-splits should be on the rise.

However, one sobering reality, with the likelihood that any collection area in the Indian Ocean area (Sri Lanka, Sumatra, etc.) is probably pretty much wiped out (as are the divers who go collect livestock), I would not expect to see prices on any marine ornamentals to stay low for the next while.

[quote="Delphinus"][quote="Bob_I"]All the more reason to give our livestock the best of conditions, and keep them alive for a long time.

As to Fautin and Allen. Is that the book "Clownfishes and their Host Anemones" :question: Someone in Edmonton was looking for a good book. I recommended it as I found it on Amazon.ca for as low as $4.87. :cool:

Yes that's the one. :biggrin: I guess it's not so new of a text anymore so that would explain why it's so inexpensive. It's still, in my opinion, the defining text as far as "field notes" for observations in the wild. The link you referenced is essentially an online version of that book, unfortunately somewhat condensed (e.g. fewer pictures). The link is good, but the paper book is better. :lol: Very worthwhile having in one's library.

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Well if all goes well with the batch that Gold's has or had, we'll see a number of clones in time and hopefully there will be enough to sustain this cities demand for RBTA's. I'm sure that all of us would like to buy locally bred stock anyway, to conserve and protect....