Is there a Safe way to divide a Large Anenomie?

Shane and John · Mar 4, 2008

Well here it is...We have a Very Large bubble tip that is getting so large it has started to shade alot of the light to our corals and clams..I have peeled him off the rock and moved him to the bottom of the tank...He Refuses to stay there and always seems to make it back to the same spot..Is there a way i can make him split?..we have a very small bubble tip that has split twice....Why do they split? any ideas or help would be appreciated Thanks...Shane

matts125 · Mar 4, 2008

Shane and John said:
Well here it is...We have a Very Large bubble tip that is getting so large it has started to shade alot of the light to our corals and clams..I have peeled him off the rock and moved him to the bottom of the tank...He Refuses to stay there and always seems to make it back to the same spot..Is there a way i can make him split?..we have a very small bubble tip that has split twice....Why do they split? any ideas or help would be appreciated Thanks...Shane

you can cut them with a very sharp razor and they will both heal, but there is a chance of infection that can kill the specimen, I know a lot of people that successfuly frag their anemones all the time, the trick is to do it with as little of tissue damage as possible with the cleanest cut then you must have a safe place for them to heal up such as a soap dish that you can stick to the side of your tank, with some rubble in the bottom, this way they are protected but still get good water flow....

Matt

Shane and John · Mar 4, 2008

Matts...have you ever fragged one?I think I might be a bit nervous to start Hacking on him myself..Or can you reccomend anyone who might be interested in helping?...Thanks...Shane

matts125 · Mar 4, 2008

I could swing by some time and take a look, I have never fragged one but have fragged many many other corals such as mushrooms xenia and sps. it is really pretty simple..

matt

Shane and John · Mar 4, 2008

Hey...Matts ...thank you for being so willing to help...Much Appreciated...BUT..I just got a PM from a wonderfull reefer who wants it as it is...So off to her it goes...Thanks for your help...And everyone for viewing my Post.....Shane and John!!!!

returnofsid · Mar 4, 2008

Another option is to try and "force" it to split. One way is to allow the water quality to drop a little bit for a couple weeks, then do a massive (50%) water change. This seems to trigger a survival response and they are more likely to split.

briang · Mar 5, 2008

It's so easy,even a caveman could do it. REALLY. 1st put on gloves, then gently get your finger in between him and whatever he is attached to.Take your time and SLOWLY work it out. You don't want to damage the foot. This is the hardest part of the whole thing, it took me 5 min. Next, place him on a dinner plate, foot down and tenticles up. Next, get ketchup , just kidding.You will be able to clearly see the mouth.Now, get your SHARPEST NOT serrated knife or blade. Now just slice down the center ,being very careful to divide it, and especially the mouth into 2 equal halves. Next, In a bucket of aquarium water GENTLY swirel it to remove slime. then let it stay in bucket for about 10 min. Then gently swirel again and place THEM in your aquarium.I'm posting picture of mine I did 5 month ago in next reply