How to keep a healthy BTA from splitting?

Frost_Hydra · 08/12/2020, 01:01 PM

I keep seeing these enormous BTA's (picture below) being sold on Live Aquaria. I have no idea how they get their BTAs so large without splitting. My BTA pretty much split when it doubled in size from when I originally purchased it. And I've heard they split whenever they get sufficient mass to do so for the sake of reproduction. Is there anyway to keep a perfectly healthy BTA to keep growing instead of splitting? is there some trick with water chemistry or is it just down to pure luck.

Michael Hoaster · 08/12/2020, 02:22 PM

I had a different anemone, but when I started feeding it larger amounts and more often, it got much bigger.

Misled · 08/12/2020, 03:51 PM

I agree with feeding as Michael said above. The other things are keeping it happy. Med flow, good lighting and very good water quality. One of the big reasons nems split is stress. Keep them happy.

Jeffatpm · 08/25/2020, 05:56 PM

a friend of mine has a lot and they split but they seem to stay close together so they look like one big anemone.

Timfish · 08/26/2020, 07:38 AM

It's really up to the BTA. One of the things I've seen over the years is a clone line can start splitting at a quicker rate and consequently stay smaller. Also, don't feel you need to feed them. They're pulling nitrogen (ammonia and urea) and phosphates out of the water so making sure you're feeding your fish adequitely is more important IMO.

08/12/2020, 02:22 PM	#2
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I had a different anemone, but when I started feeding it larger amounts and more often, it got much bigger. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

08/12/2020, 03:51 PM	#3
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	I agree with feeding as Michael said above. The other things are keeping it happy. Med flow, good lighting and very good water quality. One of the big reasons nems split is stress. Keep them happy. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

08/26/2020, 07:38 AM	#5
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,985	It's really up to the BTA. One of the things I've seen over the years is a clone line can start splitting at a quicker rate and consequently stay smaller. Also, don't feel you need to feed them. They're pulling nitrogen (ammonia and urea) and phosphates out of the water so making sure you're feeding your fish adequitely is more important IMO. __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

08/25/2020, 05:56 PM	#4
Jeffatpm Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: West Jordan, UT Posts: 14	a friend of mine has a lot and they split but they seem to stay close together so they look like one big anemone.