Clam gaping...what to do?

[B Pierce]

hey all,

I went to a LFS and they had a small gigas clam(I know they get huge) It wasn't doing that great(pale and gaping) So the LFS owner said he would give it to me for $20! I coudn't resist!

My question is what is the best way to revive this clam. It is getting great light, low current and my calcium and alk levels are fine. Is there anything else I can do?

Bill

 

[botp2k1]

I think you should have left it at the LFS. Make sure nothing can pick on it; fish, shrimps, etc. How small? You could feed phyto to the tank.

 

[B Pierce]

yep I put phyto in there. It is about an inch.

 

[hwynboy]

Gigas and Croceas tend to gape a bit more than other clams. I am reluctant to put a gigas in my 300. I saw a few small gigas the other day beautiful clams, but I passed. I think this is one species better left in the oceans. Good luck with yours.

 

[cristhiam]

I have a gigas and they are pretty hardy, with the right conditions it should recover, mine recovered from a plate sting, looked bad for couple weeks almost closed and now it's back to normal I put a shell under and he is attaching now. good luck.

 

[B Pierce]

Thanks all, he looks a lot better this mourning! Hopefully he will pull through.

 

[hwynboy]

omg I just noticed...do you have an ocotpus in that tank? IF so your clam will be lunch.

 

[B Pierce]

nope the octo is not in the clam tank.

BTW the gigas just attached to the piece of rubble; I am assuming this is a good sign right?

 

[hwynboy]

definitely two good signs...your octopuss not in the same tank and the clam attaching it's byssal to a rock.

Your octopuss will make quick work of that clam if the tanks are near each other and not covered tightly! lol

 

[B Pierce]

They clam is looking a lot better he is also firmly attached!

Does it look like he is going to pull through?

thanks,
Bill

 

[botp2k1]

The 1st pic looks alright to me, I don't see any gaping from that view. The 2nd pic is too dark, I cannot make out much.

 

[cristhiam]

Looking good! if he is attached that's a good sign.

 

[B Pierce]

It appears like the mantle is pushed in and the mantal also dose't extend very well over the shell. I am hopeing it will pull through!

 

[cristhiam]

Mine looked worst than that, the mantle was all the way in.

 

[B Pierce]

The clam is doing better. He for some reason detached so I took this chance to move him to a larger, more stable rubble piece and he already re-attached.

How do you think he is doing?

thanks,
Bill

 

[gjh289]

Clam looks good, buts what the green grassy looking stuff in the picture?

 

[B Pierce]

it is a 100% green morph of GSP.

 

[spencerx15]

looks like it recovered, is it really one inch?

 

[B Pierce]

yea it's only about a inch

 

[sergio 2004]

"bigger its better"