Anemones are one of the most iconic saltwater animals known around the world. The anemone and clown fish duo is a popular reason of why many of us got into the saltwater aquarium hobby.There is a huge price gap between anemones some ranging from $20- $600. The color and size as well as the source determine the price.
There are multiple ways to frag anemones including how to make them frag themselves. You will need a cutting board, scissors, razor blade, and a container for the anemone.First, you will need to remove the anemone from the tank; select a healthy anemone that is not bleached or stressed.
Be sure to not damage its foot; I have had success using a dental pick to gently scrape the foot away from the rock until the anemone releases.Next, lay your anemone with the mouth upwards on the cutting board. Slice through the middle of its mouth with one fluent motion.
Now you can put your anemones back into the tank. It is recommended that you keep them in a container until they are fully healed so they do not drift away into a pump.
Another method to ensure a fluid slice is to use scissors. Simply hold the anemone in one hand and quickly slice through the mouth with a pair of sharp stainless steel scissors.The last method is easiest done in anemone only tanks that way you can control your parameters specifically for the anemones.
Anemones will split when they are under stress; you can temporarily change your parameters to make them more likely to split by lowering your pH, dropping the temperature, or dropping the salinity. Additionally, they may stress under other circumstances such as treating your tank for red bugs.
Though these are ways reefers have had success with propagating anemones, none of these methods are a hundred percent successful and you assume risk with trying each one. Your anemone may split on its own in good conditions but it is not guaranteed nor does it show signs of splitting beforehand.
Not all anemones respond well to cutting and may live longer without being cut or stressed; however, aquacultured anemones have a higher chance of surviving than an anemone pulled from the ocean. Consider the maturity of your tank and try to propagate these iconic animals.
