Clam Help Please

[Fishamatank]

Just got back from out of town from X-mas, was gone for 3 or 4 days.

My 3" maxima is not extending the mantel.

I have a 5" crocea that looks fine, and a 6" dersa that looks fine as well.
All SPS look good as well.

I have not tested the water yet, but I am almost certain that everything will test ok, all fish are accounted for and the rest of the inhabitants look well.
Typical specs for my tank are: NO3 - undect, P04 - undect, alk 10, ca 460, mg 1350, ph 8.2-7.9, temp 77.5-79.5

No equipment malfunctions that I can see, PH and temp are fine according to the RKL, no alarms were set either.

I have done a visual inspection of the clam and do not see any pests. I have had this clam for 3-4 months I think.

Any suggestions? It's only been a few hours since I've been home but this clam does not look the same as it did a few days ago.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Do you have an ATO? Was anyone watching your tank?
Over 3 days could have evaporated a decent amount of water.

How long have you had the clam?
What fish do you have?

 

[Fishamatank]

Yes, I have an ATO.
Someone came by and fed one time.

I have 2 tangs, 1 wrasse, 2 occ. clowns, 2 chromis and a flame angel.

I know the flame is probably not ideal, but I don't think that is the problem here. There are 2 other clams in the tank and only one acting strange.

I've had this clam for 3-4 months at least and have not added any other clams since this one.

 

[Fishamatank]

Anybody?
This morning the shell is opening but the mantel is not extending.
The "mouth" is gaping open.

Looks to me like it's dying, anything I can do?

 

[Fishamatank]

No ideas?

 

[mscarpena]

Post a picture. Has you ATO been working properly. Also could just be your angel got hungry because you normally feed everyday?? Lack of food may have caused it to nip at your clam. Hard to say.

 

[Fishamatank]

Yes, ATO has been working, water level in sump is normal.
I'll post a picture shortly.
No physical damage that I can see.

 

[Fishamatank]

Here, the crocea on the left looks like always. Maxima on the right not so much.

 

[Fishamatank]

Just did a couple quick checks
SG = 1.0265 via refractometer
Alk = 10
Nitrates = undect (salifert)

I have 15 gallons of water mixing for tomorrow and have changed the filter sock and replaced the GAC.

Any other ideas?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Not sure if there would be issues having 2 different species of clams so close -- it one of them isn't fully attached I would move one of them. I have no idea if it will help, but I doubt it will hurt.

 

[Fishamatank]

I actually just moved it there yesterday. It was lower by itself.


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[Fishamatank]

Bump.

I've done almost a 20% water change as of this AM.
The clam opens and closes the shell still. I bothered it moving stuff around during the WC and it closed right up.

What are everyone's thoughts on FW dips?

 

[Toddrtrex]

While I have some clams currently, my knowledge of them is a bit lacking. You might think about posting this in the Clam section, might get some more answers there.

 

[noahm]

It may just be 'scared' I am leaning toward the theory that it got nipped due to irregular feeding. It won't necessarily show damage. Give it a few days with no harassment. I had a blenny that found my maxima to be a toy for about a week before it got bored. The poor clam would close up every time a shadow came near.

 

[Fishamatank]

I'm assuming this is pinched mantel since there is no sign of pyramid snails.
I've matched the PH and temp and the clam is sitting in a FW bath for another 10 minutes or so.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/jf/index.php

 

[Anemonebuff]

I would keep an eye on the angel. My bicolor blenny was a model citizen for months before he got the taste for maxima clam. He never bothered the crocea though. It started out slow, by the end of the week he was pecking at it every 10 minutes or so.

 

[noahm]

doesn't really look like pinched mantle, imo. The very edges would be curled and frilly. It just doesn't look like it is comfortable extending. Try not to stress it too much.

 

[yeloowtang]

i would try puting a dome over it with enought holes for water flow to protect it from a possible fish nipping it !!!

i had that hapen and the culprit was my yellow tang !!! i had to capture the tang and traded it in for another fish !!!

being inside the dome the tang could'nt touch it and it open right up..
that nay not be your situation but worth a try...

i'm not 100% sure but i think a FW dip is a big no no for clams ,you can take it out for inspection and brush off parasitic snails if any but not a FW dip..

steff

 

[Fishamatank]

yeloow, FW dip is a common treatment for pinched mantel.

Whatever the problem is, for bettor or worse the FW dip is done.

I now have had the clam in a dome for an hour or so as well.

No change from the dip or the dome so far, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[mscarpena]

Also changing the carbon will help if it is PM, but does not appear to be.