Calling all clam experts

[MrMikeB]

Its official... memorial services will be held in the back yard at dawn. Thank you all for your insight into this. Please use the thread to further the knowledge on how to prevent this from happening. Its a terrible thing to lose a life like this, let alone in your own care so however it can be prevented, please share.

Starting to put the dots together, I think this clam has always shown signs of problems, I was just a little too ignorant to see it. It rarely fully closed, even when I got it - I just chalked it up to individual clam behavior as everything else seemed spot on. Phosphates have been high in my setup since the beginning. My coralline has played a hell of time attaching, but I am correcting that now. I imagine this may have played an important part in its demise.

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

I don't think phosphates are what killed your clam, so don't go nuts trying to get rid of them just yet. Just keep doing things as usual and try again at some point with a healthy clam to start with. They're fragile animals, so don't just blame yourself for its death. Whatever clam you get, just make sure you read up on where it likes to be placed in the tank (sand v. rock), determine if you're going to feed it or not, and inspect its foot when you buy one.

 

[robertloop]

I had a new 4" maxima die somewhat recently as well. I had a perfect looking clam for weeks and then in a matter of days it just died for no apparent reason. 6 months before the new clam I upgraded my 55g to a 120 w/30g sump. I used all my existing LR and still had a cycle. Not bad enough to kill sps, but a cycle none the less. I have no idea if my "new" tank was at fault or the specimen. CLams are hit and miss. And spendy too. I had clams 5 yrs ago in my 55. The deresa lasted and grew quite large for two years. Then I added a new baby maxima. Rice snails infiltrated and nothing I did would get rid of them. Lost both clams. I agree with Brian to some extent about the difficulty of clams to SPS. I've had much better success with SPS! I will probably try another clam in the next few months.

--edit--

BTW.... was feeding phytoplankton regularly with both experiences with clams.

 

[MrMikeB]

From what I could research, clams above about 4" do not need much feeding as they are large enough to support themselves off oh the photosynthesis process with the zoanthallae in their mantles. I still give my LPS filter feeders a little from time to time so I am sure they were getting it out of the water too.

I think I was more disturbed at the rate of decline I experienced. It went from 'good' to bad at warp speed. Does anyone think the fact the siphon hole(s) were partially obstructed might have anything to do with it. It was not more than a day before I realized it was not able to open fully, but it might have been enough to send it over the edge.

 

[Fragmented]

I have learned a lot about my clams and how to keep them happy here:
http://www.clamsdirect.com/forum/

I find that mine demand a stable environment. If there is a change in anything, they let me know. I check on them daily and solve any problems that come up as quickly as I can.

I also purchased my clams from another aquarist who had them for over a year. Knowing that you have healthy animals to start with is half of the battle. The other half is observation and good husbandry. (A mature tank and experience are also important.)

I waited about 5 years before taking on the responsibility of clams. This hobby is not something you learn in a few months, it is an ongoing learning adventure. That's why it's so addictive! Never a dull moment.

 

[MrMikeB]

Fragmented,

Great site! I spent the last hour or so pouring through the threads. Its amazing how much info is on there. I will definitely put it to good use to save my remaining clam from a similar outcome.

 

[Fragmented]

Glad you found it helpful. Good luck and happy learning.
See you Friday at MARS.