Clam Moving

[rawbomb]

I have a Maxima clam thats about 4in attached firmly to a rock ( been there for about 2 months) i need to move him but didnt know if i should just pull him off or if there is a better way of doing it. I dont want to hurt hims since he has been doing great.

 

[Steve Atkins]

Don't pull your clam off the rock. That can do damage that will ultimately lead to it's death.

Take the clam and rock out and use a sharp knife, or scissors, to cut the threads attaching it to the rock as close to the rock as you can get. If you canââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t see the threads, then gently pull the clam away from the rock until you can.

Steve

 

[rawbomb]

thanks steve, so its best to cut them off rather than pull them off?

 

[RBU1]

I hope you are kidding Raw!!!!! No you don't pull or cut. If you happen to see one day that the foot is detached from the rock then you can move him.

 

[rawbomb]

So theres no way of getting them off once they attach?

 

[RBU1]

To be safe I would say leave it alone till you see the white part of the foot retract back inside. When that happens then you can move it. I have a crocea and he puts his foot in and out all the time. When I came home from work he was firmly attached to a rock. Now when I look at him the white foot is retracted so I could move him now if I wanted. I would leave him be. Just my opinion.

 

[mbbuna]

its perfectly safe to cut the threads, as long as you cut them as far away from the clam as you can. the byssal threads are just a glandular secretion with no blood flow or nerve endings.

do not pull the clam off if you damage the byssal gland you will open the clam up to infection. thats also why you want to cut as far away from the clam as you can so you dont take a chance of damaging the byssal gland

 

[RBU1]

As I said just wait to be safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Steve Atkins]

I have cut several clams from rocks with success. As long as you do not damage the bysal gland they are fine. The best way not to damage the gland is to ensure you have a clear view of the threads and cut them as far away from the gland as you can.

Steve

 

[rawbomb]

i can can see the white part now so ill give it a shot. Mine doesnt disattach and attach all the time. It hasnt moved from the spot he is at once so i dont have much of an option.

 

[mbbuna]

you'll be fine just cut up against the rock not the clam

 

[rawbomb]

thanks for the info. I almost yanked it off but thought twice about it and its a good thing i did.