Heteractis crispa trimming.    – 5/13/07
Hi Wet Web Media crew,
<Hi Vince, Mich here.>
After 3.5 years of marine reef keeping, I have had to participate in exercising a few mushroom coral cuttings as they were growing out of my tank. This was ok, as I had homes already sourced for the lopped off specimens
<Excellent!>
but my Heteractis Crispa is fast approaching a point where I need to either find him / her a new home, or, if possible, trim it down in size to be able to keep in my 3ft x 2ft x 2ft tank for another few years which is mine, & my mated pair of percula clowns which reside within preference.
<I understand.>
It is a testament to this website that my whole mini reef system has thrived so successfully for which I thank you all for providing this resource which I attribute my success in the hobby too.  
<Thank you for these kind, encouraging words.  It is always nice to  get positive feedback.>
I have searched the site & found lots of info about cutting anemones directly in half but I could not find anything about just trimming the outer edge so a more desirable size diameter for my system can be maintained. Is this a feasible option?
<I would not do this.  It is better to half or quarter your anemone through the mouth.  This will produce at least another viable anemone.  These anemones will close upon themselves and be circular again if you are worried about the appearance.  Thus reducing the size by half or more.  The effect would be the same as excising the circumference but would be much better for the overall health of the anemone as the mouth would be present in each new anemone and the cut edges would seal/anneal/heal themselves together in a matter of minutes... It is really quite amazing to observe.  Excising the circumference would leave the wound entirely raw and unprotected and would likely result in the death of the excised material, and compromise the overall health of the primary anemone.  There is no benefit that I can see by doing what you suggest versus cutting the animal in half.>
Could it be performed in tank & what would be the best way to do it?  
<It should be done outside of the tank.  The anemone will produce copious amounts on mucus while it is manipulated.  This mucus should be kept out of the system as much as possible, as it would negatively impact other tankmates.  It should be done in a separate water bath with a scalpel or a single edge razor.  After it is cut it should be placed back in the bath (I would replace the water at this point) to allow the cut ends to close upon them selves and removes as much mucus as possible before reacclimating it to the system.  More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemonereprofaqs.htm
I would appreciate any advice, answers or opinions that you could
provide if possible.
<Hope the above info is helpful.  Mich>
Regards
Vince