Clam Dying ... What's On It's Shell?

[pwfletcher]

My clam has been slowly dying over the past couple of months ... mantle bleaching and shrinking and overall just looking unhealthy. Not sure what is wrong with it, but there is some type of orange encrustation on it's shell that shoots spider webs out to local rocks. Does anyone know what that thing could be? Could it be hurting my clam? Should I try to remove it and, if so, how?

Thanks in advance for looking ...

 

[carrots]

Not sure of the magnification of that photo but it could be a spaghetti worm. Usually buried in sand but I have had them in the scutes of the clam before. They are harmless to the clam if that is what it is. Have you checked the clam for snails? Those bright white objects near the mantle need to be checked out. Snails that feed on clams are bright white.

 

[Softhammer]

Vermetid snail. Totally harmless. I'd be way way more concerned on getting your clam the lighting and positioning it needs.