Attached Clam

[Pufferpunk]

How do I safely remove an attached clam to move it to better lighting?

 

[softbal4]

if it is attached, then it must like where it is. why move it?

 

[Pufferpunk]

Because during the daylight hours, the clam is almost completely covered by a frilly shroom & it's barely opening.

 

[mhurley]

Move the shroom or move the rock the clam is attached to.

You'll tear the foot if you try and remove it...That wont end well for the clam.

 

[Pufferpunk]

It's foot has been torn off once already... I could see right thru the clam! I actually can't believe it's still alive. The foot seems to have grown back. They are both attached to the same rock.

 

[jeemann99]

I have moved a few of my clams two or three times with no lasting problems. I just try to peel away as much of the foot as I can with my finger nail or razor as CLOSE AS YOU CAN get to the rock it is attached to, but you do end up tearing some of it. It will heal within a day or so, after setting it in the new spot.

 

[Pufferpunk]

So like peeling off an anemone?

 

[mhurley]

Yowza...I'm shocked and happy that has worked out in the past. I've had bad experiences and read them as well.

I'm an sps guy...so a shroom is a weed to me ...so in my head it's "shroom....clam....shroom....clam"...clam wins...cut the shroom.


Good luck.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Everyone's got they're preferences... This is a pretty nice "shroom". So's the clam. Tomorrow, I'm gonna try moving it--I have nice long nails!

 

[mbbuna]

All you need to do to move a clam is tip it to one side so you can see the byssal threads and take a sharp knife and cut the threads as far away from the clam as you can. the byssal threads are a glandular secretion and have no nerve endings or blood flow, the clam wont feel a thing.

Never pull or pry on a clam to remove it. If the byssal gland is damaged it is almost certain death for the clam

 

[Pufferpunk]

I had the clamin a spot that was high flow before. I think it kept trying to attach itself & got blown off. Now it's in a nice comfy crevasse. I'm not sure I can get my fingernail in there. I'll see how much shows when I pull on it a little tomorrow.

 

[mhurley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7526554#post7526554 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pufferpunk
Everyone's got they're preferences... This is a pretty nice "shroom". So's the clam. Tomorrow, I'm gonna try moving it--I have nice long nails!

I was just kidding (note the smiley I put in there)....
Beautiful shroom though.

I've got a "plague" of yuma ric's growing up in my tank...Must have come in on a rock somewhere...I've love to pull them out...they're starting to beat up some of my SPS.

 

[Pufferpunk]

What colors are they? I'd love to take some off your hands. I know you weren't serious about my shroom. It wasn't insulted at all.

 

[hansnfrans]

I'd be interested in some rics too. LMK.

 

[Pufferpunk]

After closer inspection, the clam was actually stuck by the shroom. Had to tear it a bit but now the clam's free & in better lighting. Thanks for all your help!

 

[glbtrottr]

I'll take some rics off your hands, Mr. Hurley...and I'm in Naperville!