Rock Flower Anemone breeding(?)

[Zeal]

So one of my first frag swaps in june I bought an absolutely beautiful RFA, and over the couple months its gotten pretty big and it's extremely healthy. Recently I've been reading about breeding them but apparently RFAs have sexes?

Is there any possible way to tell a male from a female? I read in a couple places that the male RFAs are usually much bigger than the females but there's no way in knowing... Id like to maybe buy 1 or 2 more in hopes that they spawn... I love the colors and just their appearance.

Edit: my RFA hasnt moved once since I placed it. Seems extremely happy with its location and its in a great spot for mysis shrimp to float down right onto its tentacles

 

[reef lover]

We have yet to determine a fool proof way to determine their sex but were working on it. I would try to get 2,3 more and that would be pretty good odds for a pair or 2.

 

[Reeferdood]

@Ron Reefman
He might be able to offer some advise.

 

[Dsnakes]

The only way to tell so far seems to be witnessing a spawning event. The males releasing sperm and the females releasing the eggs.

 

[Zeal]

Would the males/females spawn randomly? Or then they sense a male or female around?

If that’s even possible lol... sorry new to this

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

If you look up Reef Hobbyist Magazine - Volume 9 (2015 Q2) there is a great write up about them spawning.

They seem to spawn around the solstices and equinoxes.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

They will breed in captivity, recently spotted this baby in my 60 cube. (I have 4 RFAs in there)

 

[AlexStinson]

They will breed in captivity, recently spotted this baby in my 60 cube. (I have 4 RFAs in there)

That is super cool!

 

[tankstudy]

The only way to tell so far seems to be witnessing a spawning event. The males releasing sperm and the females releasing the eggs.

Females don't appear to release the eggs. They seem to hold the offspring until they are ready and then release them.

I read in a couple places that the male RFAs are usually much bigger than the females but there's no way in knowing... Id like to maybe buy 1 or 2 more in hopes that they spawn... I love the colors and just their appearance.

Size is not a good indicator. I have females and males of all varying sizes.

 

[VTBig053]

I am also attempting to breed my RFAs and have been collecting them over past few months to have a variety of colors, patterns, and increase my odds of having multiple males and females. I just counted and I am up to 11, hah. I didn't realize I had acquired so many. There is a good thread over in the Anemones forum - Ron Reefman's Rock Flower Experience - where he talks about his experiences with keeping and breeding RFAs. If you haven't already, you may want to check it out.

 

[Zeal]

Thanks will well check out the links. Now to look for some in south Florida !