Anemone Reproduction

Introduction

Anemones can reproduce using two different techniques - sexually (via spawning) and asexually (via splitting). Anemones often split and spawn in an aquarium. This is commonly held to be a sign of happiness, however in the case of splitting is not always the case.

Sexual Reproduction

Spawning can be an issue if you don't have a protein skimmer, in that a lot of the oxygen can get taken up by the spawn as it starts to be decomposed by bacteria.

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  Heteractis malu showing eggs within it's tentacles.

Asexual Reproduction

Splitting

Splitting is more commonly observed with Entacmaea quadricolor (BTA or Bubble Tip Anemone). This does tend to be more commonly to do with stress than happiness. An anemone will split to give itself a better chance of survival in adverse conditions, and often shipping stress and other factors will lead to this happening. Common occurrence in bleached anemones. However, well settled and growing anemones will also split.

If your anemone splits, its best to feed the anemone regularly to help it through it. Note: parts of the split anemone may not form a mouth for a while after, so obviously it cannot feed until that happens.

The following is a sequence of four images taken approximately 3-4 minutes apart on the splitting of an Entacmaea quadricolor into two individual anemones.

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  E. quadricolor splitting, Image 1
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  E. quadricolor splitting, Image 2
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  E. quadricolor splitting, Image 3
• 
  E. quadricolor splitting, Image 4

Pedal Laceration

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  Heteractis magnifica
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  H. magnifica
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  H. magnifica final stages
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  H. magnifica, newly separated anemone on the left

Resources

• (http://www.biolbull.org/cgi/reprint/20/2/81.pdf): Carey, L.R., A Study of Pedal Laceration in Actinians, The Biological Bulletin, 20 (1911), 81-107.

Budding

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  Stichodactyla haddoni

Resources

• ReefSlides - Rose Anemone Splitting Sequence by Eric Borneman - Reefkeeping Magazine