another clam question

[saf]

I have had the clam for about 6 months. It has been doing real well. Within the last couple of weeks it has been opening less and less to the point where there is no mantle extension. It has fallen a couple of times and when I have picked it up I have noticed that the foot was extended. I also just noticed that my cleaner shrimp might be picking at it.


Has anyone had this problem?

I have another clam that is doing great. My parameters are good, no ammonia or nitrite, nitrate. Alk is ~9 and calcium is ~450. I feed the tank DT's every other day.

Any ideas? Any help would be great!!!

Thanks,

Scott

 

[brianlena2000]

Cleaner shrimp won't harm a healthy clam. What type of lighting do you have? What fish are in the tank?

 

[Peabody]

Yep, Cleaners pick on clams that they can smell are dying.

What kind of lights?
Have you checked for Pyramid snails?

 

[saf]

I have 250w MH and 96 watt actinic. The other fish I have are a flame angel and a six line wrasse and a pair of perculas. I haven't noticed anything really bothering it except that it has fallen quite a bit and that has probably caused it some stress.

 

[Peabody]

Flame Angels are known clam pickers. He could be picking on him when you are not watching. When that happens the clam does exactly what you described.

Have you checked for pyramid snails?

 

[brianlena2000]

Peabody is right about the flame angel. A customer at a LFS put one in his tank and the flame angel proceeded to rip the siphons off all ten of his clams.

 

[saf]

I have two clams and one is doing fine and the other is not. I have tried to pay alot of attention to them and the other fish. That could be a possibility. Is there anything I can do to protect it. Yes I have looked for snails and so far there are none.

 

[Peabody]

You can put an egg crate box over the clam for a few weeks...the clam will get its light, and no one will pick on it. In time it will stop producing the tasty mucus it releases when stressed. I think it's your best option for now.

 

[saf]

Is it too late for it? I am going to try and get a 2 liter bottle and cut it and put it inside and hope for the best.

 

[ADS]

Another option for a 'in-tank' quaratine is to use a freshwater breeder. They are acrylic and float in the tank w/ flow thru sides.
The compartments are removable and will fit multiple small clams(~4-2in or one large clam)
Check for parasites. Adam

 

[Newflee]

Make sure that there is good flow if you use a 2 litre bottle. Eggcrate box welded with a soldering iron is better.