VERY strange Anemone activity

[elbeesea]

Help!
My pink tip anemone began "strangling" off its tips on 1/22/07. Over half of its tentacles have ejected the tips off in the past two days.
The anemone has been totally happy and healthy for 4 months. Then suddenly on Sunday morning, it withdrew to it’s smallest size ever and began “strangling” off its tips. The tentacles looked like they had a tourniquet about 1/8th of an inch from the tip. After about 1-2hrs in this condition it would “cut off” the tip, which would float away. It did this to at least half of its tentacles by the end of the day.
After the tentacle lost its tip, it created a white scab. By the next day, almost all the scabs were gone, replaced by new pink tips.Four days ago I introduced a toadstool and maze coral, and a maroon clown who immediately bonded with the anemone. I did rearrange things, which I know was disruptive and stressful, but the anemone seems to like it's new spot.
I collected some of the tips and they appear to be alive! I have three in a net, and the little clones behave just like a “grown up” anemone – they shrivel when touched and are able to cling. They have maintained their pink tips, but are now rather greenish in color. Sort of reminds me of worm behavior.
I have some not-so-great fotos, but can't figure out how to attach to this post.
I should also mention that one of the tentacles has two heads - something that appeared after I purchased it last October. Maybe this tip expulsion has happened before?
Do you know anything about this process or can you direct me to where I can obtain more information? The three little tips are still alive and I want to know what to do with them... thanks

 

[rykna]

Splitting is one of the ways anemones multiply. One day there will be to mouths....next day...the anemone continues to split..until presto 2 anemones. Although I have never heard of anemones detaching their tentacles, but if the little guys are still alive...hmmmmm....only problem with that is unless they have a body, there is no way to take in nurtients. Going do the way of the star fish(which can regenerate over 60% of its' body), I would glue the seperated tentacles to a small rock and see what happens.

 

[elbeesea]

These anemone "pieces" are really tiny and difficult to maneuver - about the size of the lead on the point of a pencil. I'm afraid a glob of glue would hurt them. They are in a net with some sand at the top of the tank. Is there an aquarium society that would be interested in this?

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by Elbeesea
My pink tip anemone ..... a maroon clown who immediately bonded with the anemone.
Odd..How is this going... ***)

 

[elbeesea]

The little buggers are still alive, tho one looks a little peekish. The "mama" anemone is in fine shape - as big and poofy as ever. Maybe stimulation from the new clown triggered the behavior? The clown rarely leaves the anemone - constant snuggling.

 

[watson3]

Maybe you could get us a picture?

 

[elbeesea]

I have pix but not sure how to upload in this forum - maybe you can help. I don't see where to attach without creating a url.

 

[choco]

Originally Posted by Elbeesea
These anemone "pieces" are really tiny and difficult to maneuver - about the size of the lead on the point of a pencil. I'm afraid a glob of glue would hurt them. They are in a net with some sand at the top of the tank. Is there an aquarium society that would be interested in this?

Once the tentacles are off, they are dead in short notice time. The zooxanthellae algae that inhibits the tissue will die off quickly which supplies all the nutrients. Its like saying, lets cut a leaf off a tree and glue it to a rock and see if a new tree grows. Not going to happen.

 

[elbeesea]

So dropping tentacles is not an uncommon event? I didn't figure it was reproductive in nature, but strange I haven't been able to find any info on it on the net... Still, it was pretty bizarre to watch!

 

[freejury]

Originally Posted by Elbeesea
I have pix but not sure how to upload in this forum - maybe you can help. I don't see where to attach without creating a url.
Click on the "Go Advanced" button on the reply to post box at the bottom of the page. On the lower section of the Advanced Reply box is a manage attachements button. hit that, browse to select your pic, and hit upload. Only glitch you might run into is the pic must be 500x500 or smaller. you should be able to do that in your photo editor software program. Hope that helps.

 

[elbeesea]

the fotos aren't great, but will give you an idea of what things look like. The little tips are still responding to touch.

 

[elbeesea]

forgot this one

 

[watson3]

Something looks different if it is a pink tip...

 

[elbeesea]

<Something looks different if it is a pink tip...>
what looks different? I purchased it from saltwaterfish back in Oct. and they called it "Pink Tip Haitian Anemone"