clam dying? :(

[jadeguppy]

I have three clam in my 40l that I have had for a minimum of 6 months. One likes to flip on its side and refuses to attach. I was setting it back upright and decided to move my avelopora further away from the other clam. It wasn't extending past the shell edge and had been that way since yesterday. While doing this, the clam did not close. I picked it up and there were bristleworms eatting the byssal threads, which the clam was no longer attached to. It never closed while I was holding it. the lights haven't come on today, but it has closed up most of the way. Is there a chance that it is still alive? Would the avelopora damaged it or should I look for another culprit?

 

[scapes]

can you post a pic??

 

[jadeguppy]

No, camera won't upload. The computer is too old and the Nikon too new. No tissue is showing so all I could post would be the shell anyway.

 

[scapes]

doesn't sound too good, sorry

 

[Ladipyg]

What's your clean up crew...do you have any large Nassarius snails...they get my vote....if your clam doesn't have it's foot set into a rock shelf...but just into the sand and on the bottom, a really hungry snail will eat your clam from the foot up. I always make sure my clams are placed on a cup shaped piece of rock so they can dig their foot in and I'm still free to move them without damage. Sorry about your clam.

 

[jadeguppy]

This one was one the rock, but that is a very good point. I'm not a fan of Nassarius snails, but I do think I still have one in the tank.