Am I burning my clams?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lt
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lt

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I am new to clams. I have just recently added 2 maximas to my 180 gallon reef. They were both from different dealers. One clam (smaller one)had only been in stock for about a week, and the other (larger)for 3 weeks. The first one seems great, but the second one seems to have it's mantle pinching in on one half. The other half is completely fine (if you were to cut the clam lengthwise down the middle) and expanding nicely. If the clam were sick I would think the mantle would pinch in many places randomly, not just along one side. It's bizarre. I did fin d some rice snails and removed them, however they were there in the dealers tank and the clam appeared fine anyhow (fully expanded). I am wondering what any of you think this might be. The dealer I got the larger one from had them under 175w MH and I have mine under 400watt 10K (on the sand bed for acclimation). Is the clam doing this because the light is reflecting on that half of the mantle more than the other? Should I reduce my photo period? I don't want to lose it. All parameters are in check and all corals are flourishing.
LT
 
update

update

For those who may be interested:

The clams were being burnt by the increase in lighting. I know this because as soon as I reduced the photoperiod by a few hours the clams begun fully extending where they were pinched in. They no longer look irritated at all :)
 
lt

Nice to hear your clam is doing better. Do an inspection every day or so(evening after lights out better) to remove thge parasitic pyramid(rice) snails. These can cause all kinds of problems. Death being the worst problem.

Where you got to put a new clam or coral or anything it is very important to visual inspect these creatures, and remove any pests that you may have.

I always scrub my clams before shipment with a soft bristled brush to remove any pests that I can see, or cannot see. Simply get clam to shut, and scrub gently in a separate container of saltwater from your tank. Then just discard water.

Do you have a picture.

Best of luck, Rob'
 
For those who may be interested:

The clams were being burnt by the increase in lighting. I know this because as soon as I reduced the photoperiod by a few hours the clams begun fully extending where they were pinched in. They no longer look irritated at all :)

Fantastic to hear!
 
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