Clam Bleaching?

[xtrstangx]

I just noticed my clam has a white area around its siphon/hole/whatever. Its the little part that sticks out just a little bit. Heres the best pic I could get before my battera died:

The clam has been in my system for atleast a month.
Salinity 1.024
pH 8.1-8.2
Temperature 80-81 (no fluctuations)
Ca 430
Alk 9 dKH

He is 9" directly under the XM 20K 175w. So its not light, I think. I have a 10g fuge and an ASM G-1X in the system. He's receiving moderate flow.

I have a Flame Angel in the system that used to nip at brains. I haven't ruled out that he nips at this clam, but I would think he would nip at the outside mantle, not in the inside.

Any help?

 

[fishieness]

im still a clam noob, but i have a few possibilities that i picked up from here.
it looks like a crocea correct? They tend to gape pretty commonly. Is the entire center white looking? It could jsut be gaping as long as the mantle isnt white.
OR it actualy could be your light. The fact that it is a 20000K. Clams (such as blue croceas) reflect blue light, which is why they are blue. The dont absorb as much blue light. The usualy do better under a wider spectrum like a 10000K. So it may be bleaching if the rest of it is white too (like the mantal)
just some possibilities

 

[xtrstangx]

Thanks for the help. The mantle is not white at all. The pattern of the mantle has actually improved since I got it (more ornate). I don't know if thats better or worse.

 

[knumbnutz]

More ornate? I vote better!