Clam Help Please!

[E&Js]

I purchased a crocea from my local reef store last weekend and yesterday I noticed he doesnt look to be doing too well. His color was a beautiful purplish blue with vivid specs of even more intense color. Now, he is tucked in barely coming out of the shell and its gapping open fairly wide (color is still there however). I have tested all water parameters, and everything looks good. I even placed him high in the LR so he would get ample light. I have been feeding the tank inhabitants as normal and they leave him alone. Could he not be getting enough food? Does anyone have any suggestions? Please help!
I have him under dual coralife 95's I think. Maybe the bulbs need replaced?
SpecGrav 1.026
Amonia 0
Nitrate 0
pH 8.0
I dont have a calcium measurement, but I supplement the tank daily with it.
He came on a small piece of LR. His 'foot' is still attached, and it looks as if another fleshy white piece is coming down. The bottom is free of debris.

 

[mbbuna]

i saw your other thread.

for the long term health of your clam your lighting is not strong enough. however i dont think that is your problem.

can you list all fish you have in the tank?

also what are your Ca and Alk test results

 

[E&Js]

The fish I have in the tank now are a spotted goby, bi-color blenny, firefish goby and domino damsel. Mixed in also are some hermits & turbos.
As for the corals, I have 2 leathers - toadstool & finger, flowering polyps, frogspawn & some random mushrooms.

I dont have an alk or calcium measurement right now, but plan to get one this week. What should the ideal measurements for each be? If that light is not good enough long term, what should I upgrade to?

 

[mbbuna]

i would keep an eye on the blenny, bi-colors have been known to nip at clams.

i would recommend salifert, seachem or API test kits (dont even consider red sea)

calcium should be between 380ppm and 450ppm. natural sea water levels are about 420ppm.

Alk should be between 8dkh and 12dkh. NSW levels for Alk are about 7dkh but if they fall below that it will cause problems quickly so its a good idea to keep them higher to give you some wiggly room. i keep mine around 9dkh.

while your at it you might as well get a magnesium kit also, shoot for a level of about 1300ppm.

heres some reading on water chemistry

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rhf/feature/index.php

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/rhf/index.php

this thread will help you understand the light needs of clams a little better.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1072234

 

[E&Js]

Thanks. Would the blenny nipping at him kill it or cause it to retreat and open up? Could it be something other than water parameters?

 

[mbbuna]

i think its the fish then possibly the water chemistry.

a fish continually picking at a clam will keep it from opening and kill it

 

[E&Js]

I hope so...sounds like unfortunately blenny may get the boot. Thanks! I am getting those additional test kits tonight.

 

[mbbuna]

cut the top off of a clear 2L bottle and drill a bunch of holes in it for water flow and place it over the clam. if it is the fish it should slowly start to open back up in a day or so

 

[E&Js]

Thanks for all the advice mbbuna. Hopefully he will make it.

 

[mbbuna]

let us know how it go's