Can Clams Regrow their Feet?

[JonF]

I received 2 mail order maximas - 3" on Friday. I burried them 1/2 inch in the sand to keep the crabs away while they settled. Two days later I picked them up to place on rocks. One of the clams had its foot dangling by a tiny hair sized thread - it was nice and white but totally detached from the inside of the clam. It seemed to have expelled its - maybe because it was ripped out of place when shipped. Should I expect this clam to regenerate a foot and eventually attach to my rockwork? Anything I can do for it in the meantime to aid its recovery?

It looks pretty healthy and is reasonably opened currently as it sits on a rock.

Thanks,

Jon

 

[Reeftropicals]

Hi Jon,

If your clam is responsive, extends it's mantle, doesn't show signs of gaping and appears overall to be healthy, I wouldn't worry about it.

Usually when a clam looses it's foot, it has very little or nothing to do with the collection method used. It's a stuborn misconception although in the past Vietnamese clams were famous for lost feet because of the collection method used. Not anymore.

A clam usually looses it's foot when stressed. It often happens when a clam has been shipped and is being introduced to it's new environment. It also happens when a clam has been in your tank for some time and decides it wants to move to a new location.

 

[Reeftropicals]

I forgot to add something. The answer is yes. Your clam will regrow a new foot in just a couple of weeks.