BTA failed split

[ryudo80]

Yesterday morning, I attempted to move a rock that has my BTA on it. I barely lifted the rock and noticed the BTA had partially moved onto another rock nearby. Last night, I noticed it had splitted into 3. However, 2 of the 3 are still partially attached to each other. This morning, I noticed the 2 are still in the same state and same location. I the smaller of the 2 attached have a damaged foot.

Can I take a razor or scissors to cut where they are still attached and can it be done while in the tank? Also, the smaller damaged RBTA, should I get rid of it or let it try to heal? It's still currently attached to the rock upside-down.

I've included a picture of the 2 attached. They're both hanging upside-down so its hard to get a good picture. The red arrow is pointing to the area that is still connected between the two BTA. That portion is floating in the water and not attached to a rock.

 

[KrisReef]

They will heal or split if you leave them alone.
What are you trying to accomplish with the surgery?

 

[winxp_man]

They will heal or split if you leave them alone.
What are you trying to accomplish with the surgery?

To get Surgical Doctor points. ;)

 

[ryudo80]

I'm concerned that the two still attached to each will die if stuck together. Never had anemone spit before. The bigger of the two has puffy tentacles while the smaller one still has a few long tentacles but they're deflated.

 

[KrisReef]

I'm concerned that the two still attached to each will die if stuck together. Never had anemone spit before. The bigger of the two has puffy tentacles while the smaller one still has a few long tentacles but they're deflated.

Splits, even by rock moving injuries are a normal thing in nature and in our aquariums. I would let the anwmone(s) figure this one out.

It could be that the one that is connected to the injured area will part off the dying tissue and then finish healing. Watch for this parting and siphon out the dead tissue if it doesn't make it. Sometimes both pieces will survive and you will end up with 3 splits. I always let mine figure it out without interventions, except that I do remove dead sloughs.

I have had a few migrate through power heads and usually I end up with some dead and some living splits when this happens. Tattered, torn, ripped, but still inflated tissues can easily heal given time. The new nems will eventually grow up to be as large and brightly colored as their clone parent.

 

[winxp_man]

Not much that can be done. They have a mind of their own. Three way splits are not as common. But they can happen. And they do take a toll on the nems until it’s all dead looking it can still possibly heal on its own.

 

[ryudo80]

Thanks for the advices. I was concerned from reading that a dead anemone can nuke the tank. I'll keep and eye on these two. The 3rd one is happy and moved to its new spot. The smallest of the three looks like it is still attached to the rock tightly. I can't be sure if my movement of the rock caused the split or it was already splitting when I did that. I saw that it had wedge itself between the two rocks thinking that it got stuck.

 

[winxp_man]

Thanks for the advices. I was concerned from reading that a dead anemone can nuke the tank. I'll keep and eye on these two. The 3rd one is happy and moved to its new spot. The smallest of the three looks like it is still attached to the rock tightly. I can't be sure if my movement of the rock caused the split or it was already splitting when I did that. I saw that it had wedge itself between the two rocks thinking that it got stuck.

The nuking usually happens when they hit a power head. And it’s a bigger nem. Or a nem in a smaller tank. Having a carbon setup can help if it does happen. Not sure to what degree.