Clam lost foot, what now?

[Deleted member 143833]

I came down this AM and my clam had moved from its perch of 10 months. I noticed in the old location I am expecting is the foot, it is not the byssal (SP) threads, it is much harder and the threads appear to be attached to it.

The clam itself does not appear to be any different than any other morning; it is opened, fully expanded mantle, responds to light and motion, etc.

Questions: Can a clam (would a clam) expel its foot in order to move? Does/can it grow back? Suggestions?

For now I'm going to place it in a slight 'v' in the rock so that it will be kept upright to the lights in flow that it has been accustomed to. I really hope it's not a goner; when I purchased it was 2-1/2", now at 7" it's really central in the tank

 

[skinz78]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1385440

this was just the other day, clams do this from time to time.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Good information; thanks. The Clam looks well and is fully opened, mantle looks good, etc so I'll just keep an eye on it.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

Update:

12 days and it is happy as a clam....

It can't attach but I have placed the clam within a pit in the rock work with good circulation and good light. I don't know if it will grow a new foot gland but all appears well; it opens fully and responds to light and shadows.

 

[Atomikk]

It will grow a new foot in time. Just don't touch it or move it.

 

[Drachs]

Also, just fyi, some clams only attach as juveniles. When they get bigger they drop their foot and slowly fill in their bysus opening with shell. The bigger clams like gigas and maximas do this I believe, and they rely on their weight to keep them where they are.