H. Magnifica

Yanos · Jan 15, 2019

Hi guys.
I'm asking here for help.
I'm planning to cut (propagate) my Magnifica. I'll be very happy to hear from someone, that have some experience in such operation.

My one is about five inch in diameter, plus tentacles. Very healthy and well behaving (no wondering round).

Reason for such idea is to keep two, three of them, and add a bit of movement to the scape.
Thx

TheHerbanLegend · Jan 15, 2019

@Captain Quint
Any advice here?

D-Nak · Jan 16, 2019

Most attempts end badly. I wouldn't recommend doing it. They don't reproduce in the same frequency as BTAs and splitting in captivity is very rare. Your chances are higher if your mag has split before. If it hasn't, I definitely wouldn't recommend it. Furthermore, a 5" mag is very small. You'll obviously end up with two 2.5" nems which would make survival even more difficult.

bknope · Jan 16, 2019

If it’s very healthy and well behaving I would just let it be. Not everyone is able to find one like this and to me it seems too risky and could ask for trouble later

What about getting a BTA or something else to add movement?

lapin · Jan 16, 2019

They are prone to infections big time. I would not do it. Get a torch or something .

Taylor t · Jan 16, 2019

It’s risky. You have better odds of losing it instead of ending up with 2.

No offense intended at all, but the reality is, if you’re asking for advice on cutting it, even higher likely it won’t end well. Even seasoned hobbyists with experience can try and fail. I think it would be best to search for another one if you want more.

Ive cut BTA into half and quarters before with different results. Sometimes all 4 would live, when halved sometimes only one would live, and I’d just end up with one small one instead of 2. BTA are considered easy and are everywhere. Mags are not.

If you try it, just be willing to lose it altogether. It’s a gamble. I wouldn’t do it unless you had more than one, and you’re willing to lose it. If you try it, post your results please!

davocean · Jan 16, 2019

Another that is not a fan of this, at that size I'd just get another anemone if you want more than one, lots of ways to obtain movement you are looking for.

Healthy mags are hard to come by.

Yanos · Jan 16, 2019

Well looks like you guys are right. I’m not going to kill my Meg (Megan

). In the same time, I don’t want to make her a 3 foot monster

, and three or four of them, would look really nice. Is there any possible way, to trigger “natural split”?

gig 'em · Jan 16, 2019

If you’re looking for multiple medium sized anemones, get a BTA. They reproduce like rabbits and can get decently sized. If you find a way to encourage them to naturally split, please do share!

davocean · Jan 16, 2019

While in the wild they may reach 3' , it's kinda rare to see them max at that size in most tanks, and times it comes close to that would be after a number of years.

As mentioned while they can naturally split, it's pretty rare.

I would just add other nems if you want more, and maybe other species even, malu stay fairly small, sand dwellar, LTA another option.

BTA's if you are not concerned about wandering into and stinging corals.