CLAM Help

[eliss]

I have had this giant clam for about a year then suddenly this morning his tissue was sucked in but shell open. He also looked split. I know something is wrong with him. Is there anything that can be done to help the little guy?
Any advise would be great. I am pretty new to the hobby.
-Eric

 

[HighlandReefer]

eliss,

To Reef Central

If the tissues inside are dying it is probably to late. You don't want to let it go to far or it will cause problems possibly with ammonia and your other parameters.

Perhaps this online book may help:

Ecology of marine bivalves By Richard F. Dame
http://books.google.com/books?id=Zv...X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10#PPA94,M1

See page 98. There are quite a few different diseases of clams caused by all sorts of micro-organisms which can be hard to detect by the untrained eye.

 

[eliss]

Thanks for the link! I dont see any dying or damaged tissue. He reacted to me moving him by closing slightly. I think he can pull through.

 

[Romulox234]

Thats called gaping, its pretty much the last stage before ur clam dies, but if it responds to movement by closing than it might have a chance of pulling through

The thing with clams is they'll go months without showing any signs of distress then all of sudden gape like that, but by then its usually too late to do anything

 

[fishgeek12]

Sounds like its on its way....what is your calcium level?

 

[Acrophiliac]

Keep a good eye on it if it dies get it out ASAP or you will get an ammonia spike

 

[Acrophiliac]

What are the paramiters of the system

 

[Steve175]

Did the little guy pull through?

 

[NeveroddoreveN]

I'm sorry to hear that; I hope the little guy/girl pulls through.