Clam on The Move

[MattL]

Hello clam people. I originally posted this message on the BRS message board for local advice, but received no answers. Please find below the contents of the message:

Okay,

This is really a stupid question, but I feel like I'm being outsmarted by one of my prized reef inhabitants (one that lacks a brain).

I have a wonderful Squamosa clam that I bought from the Perfect Pet group order back this Spring at 2 to 2.5 in. in length. It is easily 3.5-in. now, and the growth is noticeable.

Well, my clam has lovely gold specks in the mantle that I like to look at, so I put it in the sand, in the middle of my 55-gal, facing upright. Well, the clam likes to move itself forward to the glass.

I move it over to the side, it moves back to the center. I move it more towards the back of the tank, and it comes forward to the glass. I move it during the day, it moves back. I move it at night, it moves back over night.

* How does my clam keep finding the same exact spot?
* What does this mean, if anything (other than the fact that my clam really, really likes that one spot)?
* Is it detrimental to move the clam manually?
* Is there a way to stop this?
* What is the mucous that seems to come out of the clam and bind up the sand below the substrate level?

Just some questions before I go ask the clam message board,

Matt

 

[Mr_Quality]

Are you married? Have kids? Roommates? I think someone is messin wid yo hed when you aint around. lol

Just kidding. You might try placing a nice rock in her favorite spot and hope she attaches to it. (Do Squamosas attach?) Then you can put the rock wherever you want it.

Mike

 

[MattL]

Ha, no. I originally thought snails were pushing it around when I wasn't looking.

I also thought it might be a lighting issue, except that it does the same in the dark.

Last time I moved it, I stayed to watch it for a whiole. I can literally 'watch' it move back by opening and then snapping its shell. I'm impressed that it seems to find the same spot, and orient itself pretty much the same... for an organisms without a brain.

I'll try the rock idea. Plan B is the staple gun (j/k),

I should come here more often... I love clams!

Matt