I Hope This Isn't Happening Again - short video

[Beverly]

Definitely had too much chocolate last night, plus watched that really scary movie

But, no, I've had insomnia almost every night for the past several years, maybe even the last decade The only good thing about insomnia is that I get to check on my tanks in the middle of the night

GBTAs have still not split, but it looks like they're workin' hard at it. Camera is still rolling

[Willow]

there must be a stressor in the tank that is making the bta's split?

[OCDP]

Not neccessarily. The user who sold the GBTA's said that these anemones split like crazy. His tank was beginning to fill up with clones. Sometimes it happens more in some than others.. I had some that split on me all the time.. it was pretty annoying (especially in a 20g)


Not saying that stress doesn't cause splits, though... I just heard these BTA's are pretty split-happy. And apparantley so....


BTW, I'll post pics of my new GBTA I got last night.. I am wondering whether or not it's a BTA now though. Doesn't look like one, and this thing is STICKY... real sticky. (sorry for the hijack, Bev)

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by Willow

there must be a stressor in the tank that is making the bta's split?

I can't imagine what would be stressing the GBTA. Am doing all the normal stuff I usually do, weekly water changes and other tank maintenance, testing and adjusting chemistry, keeping water flow consistent, lighting is consistent. Haven't reaquascaped the tank for well over a month, and the GBTA has not moved since last reaquascaping.

Can't figure it out, except that this clone has been known to split often. That said, the other two clones two other Edmonton reefers got from the same guy at the same time have not split, as far as I know.

[OCDP]

I read that frequent water changes and frequent feedings will get BTA's to split sooner. I can't remember where I've heard this.. but from more than one source though.

[Beverly]

I've also read about people trying to get their BTAs to split by extra feeding and the BTAs just got bigger

If anything, I've been feeding less often than I was, say, a month ago.

[OCDP]

It remains a mystery. Either way.. you know yourself the tank and tankmates are in good shape. That's all that matters. Isn't splitting also another form of reproduction for BTA's? Kind of like spawning... so maybe it should be looked at as a positive thing? Mysterious anemones..

[danny zubot]

It remains a mystery. Either way.. you know yourself the tank and tank mates are in good shape. That's all that matters. Isn't splitting also another form of reproduction for BTA's? Kind of like spawning... so maybe it should be looked at as a positive thing? Mysterious anemones..

Reproduction yes, but don't forget survival. Anemone's are a very ancient and primitive creatures that only have a very basic perception of danger. that is why they are so difficult to understand. This particular anemone could be perceiving something in Bev's tank as a threat, so by splitting it will increase its chances of survival. IE: Survival in numbers; a flock of anemone's; perhaps a herd? colony?

[TheReefGeek]

Same as with plate corals, once "scared" into reproducing they keep doing it.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Beverly

Was just looking at my two GBTAs and it looks like the main GBTA is throwing off another clone

There was a space in the rock between the two clones as since Saturday night. Now, there is part of the main GBTA filling in the space and that part is moving around like crazy (without the aid of a much water movement)

Have begun shooting a 30 second timelapse movie of the movements of the GBTAs until lights out to document what's actually happening. Will probably have a chance to work on a video for posting sometime tomorrow.

Gads!!!!!! I ONLY WANTED ONE GBTA! I'm going to have to rearrange that tank again soon

You're going to have the same problem soon that sourced our GBTAs in the first place! Aiptasia anemones don't propogate any faster than these things, apparently! Once you have 10 or more, you have to start farming them out! FWIW, mine hasn't split yet, but it is growing quite nicely.

Matt