Reef Discussion

[Matman]

My clam isnt looking to good.Ive tested my water and everything is ok.I have another clam right next to it and its fine.Ive done a water change this week so not sure whats going on.It started going down hill a few days ago.My magnifica is looking awesome and all my other inhabitants.Any ideas?

 

[MagicJ]

That doesn't look good - the gaping mantle and reduced extension indicates stress from something. Does it react to a change in light i.e. wave your hand over the top of it?

How long have you had it for?? Have any fish been taking a bite??

 

[Matman]

Its only been in my tank a week,its been suggested that something maybe annoying it,but im not sure.Ive moved it up off the gravel and put it on piece of pvc.

 

[MagicJ]

Does it react to a change in light?

Where did you get it from? Has the byssal gland been damaged?? Are there any little snails underneath the clam??

Sorry for all the questions but I am just trying to understand what might be wrong.

 

[MavG]

what exactly were your water parameters, can you post them?

 

[Matman]

Does it react to a change in light?

Where did you get it from? Has the byssal gland been damaged?? Are there any little snails underneath the clam??

Sorry for all the questions but I am just trying to understand what might be wrong.

Not sure what a byssal gland is lol.There arent any snails underneath that im aware of.I think something has gotten into it maybe a bristle worm?All my other inhabitants are fine i cant see how it would be water related.

 

[MagicJ]

The byssal gland is used by the clam to attach to the substrate - it is located underneath the clam between the two shells. It is a white colour.

It can be easily damaged which can lead to the demise of the clam.

Where did you buy it from? A retail store or from a private individual?

And does it react to light i.e. close up when you wave your hand over it or if a fish swims too close. If not, then I wouldn't hold out much hope for it to survive.

 

[Matman]

Righto.I bought it from a retail store.It was light sensitive yesturday but it didn't move much today.Ill check it in the morning and see how it goes.

 

[Synodontis]

Good luck mate, I love clam's but know nothing about them.

 

[Matman]

Good luck mate, I love clam's but know nothing about them.

I can keep a magnifica alive but not a clam go figure lol.It is annoying I hate loosing nice animals.

 

[MavG]

Just Because your other inhabitants are fine doesnt mean the clam will be, ESPECIALLY when it comes to water parameters. Your othe rinhabitants could be used to the water parameters in your tank, OR, it could be something specifically to do with clams.

For instance, clams do not do well in a low nitrate environment, this could be causeing stress.

If you can post the water parameters i can have a look to see if there is infact anything that could be cause for concern, what do you have to loose?

 

[LFSdirect]

In my opinion....when they gape like the picture, they are dying. Looks like your clam was dying before you got him.

 

[MagicJ]

In my opinion....when they gape like the picture, they are dying. Looks like your clam was dying before you got him.

Agree, that was why I was asking where it was purchased from - maybe worthwhile talking to the store to see what they say.

 

[Matman]

I took it out this morning,it wasn't light sensitive and was gaping further.It didn't react when I picked it up either.I did notice there were no threads coming out of the bottom of it and a gaping hole.Here is a pic of my other clam which show the part that was missing.

And another of the top.

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk

 

[MTG]

having similar problems. mine has been fine for 6 months and yesterday started deteriorating not sure why.

 

[MagicJ]

That clam looks great - can you get a picture of the bottom of the sick clam?

 

[Matman]

That clam looks great - can you get a picture of the bottom of the sick clam?

Not know its now a ornament.A very expensive one lol.

 

[MagicJ]

:(

 

[LFSdirect]

That byssal gland that Magic mentioned is key to survival, my lfs spent ages carefully removing my clam that had stuck to the glass bottom on the display tank. My LFS then showed me the correct way to remove the clam from water.... they showed me that the clam needs to be inverted upon entering atmosphere.

 

[malau]

From the first pic it seems it will see the god very soon. I lost 2 this year due to the stupid invasive macro blocked the light and now I moved the last one (which is really good color) to my frag tank. Before I lost those it looks exactly the same as the first pic here. I am not sure if the clam you have requires sand bed or rock but I normally place mine on the rock and let it attach when they are happy...