RBTA taking several weeks to split?

spiraling · Nov 13, 2017

Hi all,
I have had my RTBA for about 4 years. About 3 weeks ago it moved, put its feet on two different rocks, and started splitting (for the first time since I had it, it was a split of a local reefkeepers). The disc is cut on one side to the mouth.

It still looks about the same after several weeks. It hasn't been extending its tentacles, they look like little nubs. Sometimes it looks like its twisting into a figure 8 with the slit disc. I still only see one mouth, its a bit elongated and ragged.

It just seems they only take a few days or less. Is something wrong with my RTBA to be taking so long?

JaimeAdams · Nov 13, 2017

You got pictures. In my experience it is usually rather fast, not several weeks. They literally rip themselves in half, then close the halves into a whole. As in you won't see two mouths. You could always pull it out and slice her.

madweazl · Nov 13, 2017

I've never had one that didn't complete the process over night (or one that did it while the lights were on). I'd suspect something other than a split to be going on.

Webslinger · Nov 13, 2017

mine usually only takes a day band the tentacles always stay long. could something else be wrong?

Webslinger · Nov 13, 2017

mine usually only takes a day band the tentacles always stay long. could something else be wrong?

Webslinger · Nov 13, 2017

mine usually only takes a day band the tentacles always stay long. could something else be wrong?

spiraling · Nov 13, 2017

JaimeAdams said:
You could always pull it out and slice her.

I don't think I want to go that route

Here is the best I could get. There are two distinct feet on different rocks. Here is is kinda curling at the split.

reef lover · Nov 13, 2017

Looks likes its already intent on being two...I would reach in with a scalpel and cut the little one free....

spiraling · Nov 13, 2017

reef lover said:
Looks likes its already intent on being two...I would reach in with a scalpel and cut the little one free....

ha - I would have to cut half of it. I'm not that brave.

reef lover · Nov 14, 2017

Well maybe in due time hell finish what he started. Good luck!

MT. Reefer · Nov 14, 2017

Don't worry so much. It took 4 years to split so give it time. Have you fed it? Put some thawed out brine or mysis right on it's tenticles. If it grabs on to them when they float down, everything is probably OK. It's going through something it hasn't done in years. If all the parameters are the same as before the split, just leave it alone.

spiraling · Nov 14, 2017

Larry Linne said:
Don't worry so much. It took 4 years to split so give it time. Have you fed it? Put some thawed out brine or mysis right on it's tenticles. If it grabs on to them when they float down, everything is probably OK. It's going through something it hasn't done in years. If all the parameters are the same as before the split, just leave it alone.

I will try that. I have squirted with coral food but it doesn't seem to eat it.