Rainbow Bubble Tip Split...

enzo1028

enzo1028

Premium member
My BTA slid under the rock it was perched on yesterday and started splitting into two pieces. It looks like one of the pieces is moving back to the old position slowly but the other piece that remained under the rock is beginning to split again. This is my first BTA and I didn't really expect this to happen after only having it for about a month. Is this normal? Also any suggestions for removing the extra pieces so I can sell/trade them?
 
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Kind of a poor quality shot but you can see the new piece moving back towards the camera while the other piece is splitting again. Disregard the photobombing pistol shrimp.


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Perfectly normal, in fact somewhat common to have them split when being introduced to a new tank. They split as a means of preserving their species/life so they do it when stressed. That way if one dies their genes have a better chance of passing on. Some BTA propagators will regularly do 75%-100% water changes with water of slightly different temp/parameters just to get their nems to split naturally more often.
 
Interesting, thanks for the info! I read in some other thread it is possible to get them off the live rock and onto a frag or something else. Have you had any luck or heard of anyone able to do that?


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Out of the live rock, yes. Onto a frag plug, no. They have feet and walk around so you can't really glue them onto anything. If you want to hold them somewhere to heal or before you get rid of them, you can get one of the cheap hang on mesh breeder boxes from the pet store.

Easiest way to get them out of rocks is to try and massage the foot off the rock until you can get it up a little, then keep massaging underneath until the nem lets go. You can try and use your fingernail/credit card to get underneath it but be gentle, if you tear the foot there is a good chance the nem isn't going to make it.
 
One way that is 50/50 for me is hanging the nem upside halfway out of the water (not all the way as you can tear the foot if the nem is stubborn) give it several minutes and it should let go. It worked well for me until this last time I had to move them for a tank transfer and I ended up having to break the rock apart because they just wouldn't let go (one of the three did within a minute). Breaking the rock apart was my last resort and I ended up tearing both of the nems, thankfully both are healing just fine.
 
Another tip I've read about but haven't tried yet is to take a small screwdriver, clean it obviously first, then put it in the freezer for awhile. It will make the tip super cold, then once it is cold, take the screw driver and gently touch the foot of the anemone with it. The cold should make the nem let go of the rock without any real damage.
 
icedearth15324 said:
Another tip I've read about but haven't tried yet is to take a small screwdriver, clean it obviously first, then put it in the freezer for awhile. It will make the tip super cold, then once it is cold, take the screw driver and gently touch the foot of the anemone with it. The cold should make the nem let go of the rock without any real damage.
Click to expand...

People do this as well with good success. It's safer to make some Ice Cubes in a dollar store ice cube tray with some RODI water. That way there is no sharp end.

Jm, I did the rock breaking thing with my current BTA. Works great but you have to be SUPER careful and go SUPER slow.
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I may try the RODI ice cube method tonight.


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I go on vacation in a week so it would be nice to get some extra cash for these guys :)


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I'm located in lisle right next to reefwise. I work retail so I won't be home until like 9-10 though.


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No can do tonight in Lisle unfortunately. Maybe this weekend if you haven't gotten them off yet. Let me know.
 
When I needed to move my RBTA I put a powerhead pointed at his base and gently massaged his foot until he released if that helps.
 
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