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Help with Clam
- Thread starter Hirobo
- Start date
I had a similar problem with my clam. Looked like my Starry Blenny was nipping at him. Moved him a few times. Someone then mentioned it looked like he had pinched mantle. I gave mine a freshwater dip, did not seem to make a difference. So I let time go by and next thing I know it was back to normal. Not sure what was the problem to begin with, but it's doing great now. It's a mystery to me.
Hope it works out for you,, looks nice a really nice clam.
Hope it works out for you,, looks nice a really nice clam.
Mike, wasn't your Maxima attached to something? Did you rip its byssal threads when you moved it by any chance? Peppermint shrimp (usually) leave healthy tissue alone, so if they're picking at it, that's a bad sign. How's it doing today?
You said you learned the hard way about FW dips. Does that mean the stonies died on you? You can FW dip a clam without having a heart attack.
You said you learned the hard way about FW dips. Does that mean the stonies died on you? You can FW dip a clam without having a heart attack.
JerseyWendy said:
actually the stonies are starting to come back LOL except for one he's not a skeleton but he still doesnt have any polyps out yet. as for the clam he was just sitting on the sand not attached. I moved hom up closer to the light and this is what he ended up looking like. he doesnt look any better today but he still has color
Healthy clams attach themselves to something, using their byssal gland. Do you have any half shells of clams? Many people put that under their clams, so they attach themselves to it, but it's still easy enough to move them if you have to. Are you saying it was just "lying" on the sandbed and had never used its byssal gland? (The byssal gland is the foot of the clam)
At this point I would inspect it very closely to see if you can spot any pyramidellid snails.
http://www.reefland.com/rho/2006/05/identify_rissoid_pyramidellid_snails.php
I'd also do a FW dip, if it's pinched mantle, it "could" help.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tridacnidfaq.htm
At this point I would inspect it very closely to see if you can spot any pyramidellid snails.
http://www.reefland.com/rho/2006/05/identify_rissoid_pyramidellid_snails.php
I'd also do a FW dip, if it's pinched mantle, it "could" help.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tridacnidfaq.htm
What exactly is wrong with him besides being closed up. I also have one and am wondering if he is doing OK while i am standing here. Where would be the best placement for them is sand OK and do you have to feed them on a regular basics. Hope he gets better. I recently pulled mine away from a rock not knowing that they also attached. 
SW Guy,
A clam should be opening up on a daily basis. If he isn't opening up within a day or two, something is definitely wrong. The fact that a peppermint is bothering him shows that there is some necrosis happening. I would say 99.9% of pep shrimps will not go after a healthy clam even if desperately hungry.
A maxima and crocea clam will prefer to be on a rock, attaching with their byssal gland. However, most hobbyists will instead put them in the sand for easier relocation if needed. They are fine on the sand as they are able to eject the sand if it becomes too annoying. Croceas will have a tendancy to burrow though and can find themselves pretty far down in the sandbed. You should not have to feed a clam unless it is a small specimen (less than 3"). If you have one like that, supplemental feeding is recommended.
A clam should be opening up on a daily basis. If he isn't opening up within a day or two, something is definitely wrong. The fact that a peppermint is bothering him shows that there is some necrosis happening. I would say 99.9% of pep shrimps will not go after a healthy clam even if desperately hungry.
A maxima and crocea clam will prefer to be on a rock, attaching with their byssal gland. However, most hobbyists will instead put them in the sand for easier relocation if needed. They are fine on the sand as they are able to eject the sand if it becomes too annoying. Croceas will have a tendancy to burrow though and can find themselves pretty far down in the sandbed. You should not have to feed a clam unless it is a small specimen (less than 3"). If you have one like that, supplemental feeding is recommended.
Thanks for the info i have to take a closer look at mine. Sorry to hear that about yours :'(
