Big whole in Crocea Clam

[C_Malin]

I put a new clam in the tank yesterday. This morning I woke
up and there was a blue leg crab eating it from the bottom
it's still alive but not doing real good, the crab some how knocked it off the rock to get to the bottom of the shell where it has no protection.If I can keep the crabs off of it, Will it bounce back or is it doomed?

 

[matttaylor]

Most likely the clam knocked itself off the rock. And my guess would be that the crab wasn't eating the clam, but something off the shell. Put the clam back where it was, or turn it right side up and leave it where it is and it should be fine.

Clams have the ability to move if they aren't happy. I bet that's what happened, and you have nothing to worry about.

 

[C_Malin]

Well I Actully was watching the crab eat it
I put it back up on the rock, and from what I can tell the crab or whatever, ate the muscle that allows it to shut its shell.
I picked it up and it cant close itself. It is able to extend out somewhat but not very much.Do you think it Could heal itself ?

 

[skinz78]

If your crab is eating it the clam is a goner. Most hermit crabs won't touch clams unless they are already dead or dieing.

how did you acclymate it to your water? Can you post pic's?

 

[C_Malin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11449479#post11449479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skinz78
If your crab is eating it the clam is a goner. Most hermit crabs won't touch clams unless they are already dead or dieing.

how did you acclymate it to your water? Can you post pic's?

I floated the bag about 1 hour, added a cup of water, and did so 3 more times within the next 30minutes, then put him in the tank. It was open and looked like it was happy and Stayed that way for about 6 hours. This morning it was laying on the sand
and the hermit was biteing at it on the bottom part of the shell where its foot would extend or whatever you call it. I thought yesterday when I looked at the bottom side, it had a piece of skin covering that part of its shell, now I can see inside the clam from the bottom. It's still alive but not extending out of its shell much it closed up on me when I was taken a pic of the damage so I know its alive. Heres a pic

 

[C_Malin]

 

[skinz78]

take a plastic bottle and cut it in half fill it with 1/4" holes place the bottle over the clam and leave it there. this should shield it from the hermits.

IMO the clam looks like a gonner.

next time when acclymateing anything get yourself some airline hose and tie a knot in the bottom to restrict water flow. start a siphon and let it drip into the bag. fill the bag a few times, this method should take at least an hour or more.

 

[C_Malin]

Here's a couple that are a little easyer to see.

 

[mbbuna]

the hole you see in the bottom is the byssal opening. every clam has one but they hold them closed most of the time.

the clam does look in pretty bad shape. i would place it one spot and not move it. handling it will just push it over the edge

and [welcome]

 

[C_Malin]

Thanks For the info and thanks for the Walcome. I knew I should have bought a few SPS instead.

 

[CMcNeil]

judging the size of the clam from your hand size it appears to be smaller than 2",these little clams have a very high mortality rate.it would be best if the clams you purchase are at least 3" in size.that being said i think that clam is on its way out.

 

[skinz78]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11450847#post11450847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by checkinhawk
judging the size of the clam from your hand size it appears to be smaller than 2",these little clams have a very high mortality rate.it would be best if the clams you purchase are at least 3" in size.that being said i think that clam is on its way out.

crocea's have a very slow growth rate. It can take years for one to grow an inch. Yours looks like 2" I wouldn't think twice about purchaseing a 2" crocea.

Now maxima's on the other hand do have a high mortality under 3" and they are the clams to beware of when purchasing

 

[CMcNeil]

it is kind of hard to tell from the pics what kind of clam it really is.looks kind of maxima like in the last pic,but the blurr doesnt help.

 

[mbbuna]

its a crocea

 

[C_Malin]

I think it's dead will it turn white when it dies like corals?

 

[mbbuna]

no it will just sink into the shell and wont react any more

 

[C_Malin]

Thats hows it's been all day my girl gave it to me for christmas yesterday.

 

[C_Malin]

Well I think it was my peppermint shrimp. I turned off the light and he was the first one on seen tonight. bet he was last night also.