Clam out of water

[BRW]

I asked this question a few days ago about SPS corals but now have a clam dilema. I need to pull a large piece of LR out of the reef for a good bryopsis scrub but my T. maxima has attached pretty firmly to this same rock. My question is, what's the risk of having the rock, clam attached, out of the water, completely, for about 5 minutes tops? The SPS corals had no adverse effects doing this but I've never read about clams being exposed to the air for any periods of time. TIA.

 

[reefrunner69]

Re: Clam out of water

I need to pull a large piece of LR out of the reef for a good bryopsis scrub

I assume by large piece, it is to big to scrub in a 5g bucket? I personally would not keep it out of water that long. If the rock is too big for a bucket, perhaps a rubbermaid container or rubbermaid garbage can, that way you can keep the clam submersed while scrubbing. Clams cam be kept out of water for a little bit with out harm, but I don't know about 5 minutes.

 

[ADS]

Larger clams can be kept out of water for longer periods. Usually for transport purposes. This occasionally exceeds 30'. Clams out of water should be placed on their sides to prevent shear on viscera and mantle. Smaller clams<1 inch don't do well out of water for extended periods.
This does in fact stress clams but not fatally. If a clam requires cleaning, parasite removal etc... a brief period out of water should be fine. Refer to Knop's book and Aquarium Frontiers article on clams. If they are out of water for a while, they may require 'burping' to remove trapped air once returned to the water. Adam

 

[BRW]

Thanks guys. This is a 3" green Ultra T. maxima and I'd hate to lose it of course. I do use a wide shallow rubbermaid container to do the scrubbing in but the clam is right on top and would be difficult to keep submerged all the time. Plus the water in this container will get pretty grungy by the time I finish scrubbing even the one rock. Any additional thoughts?

 

[kevinpo]

In the wild T. crocea and T. maxima clams can be exposed at low tide for a couple of hours in the sun and are OK. I have taken my clams out of the tank and cleaned the outside of the shells without harm to the clam. Make sure you handle it carefully so that the weight of the clam out of water doesn't tear itself loose from the rock. It can be fatal to the clam.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[jim norris]

BRW,
These guys are all right on with their advice. Clams can be out of water-do not be afraid they are tuff. To enduce spawning at clam farms the clams are taken out of the water for hours then put back in! As with Kevin I take my clams out of the tanks to inspect and clean often. Unforunately thats how I dropped my derasa now named Scar. So hold on tight!
Jim

 

[toptank]

Jim, I was going to say the samething about spawning but you beat me to it

BRW, I do it all the time and never had a problem at all.

Barry

 

[simonh]

I have had clams out of the water for 10 mins while I cleaned up the shells.

 

[BRW]

Thanks again clam lovers . I'm going to proceed with my plan. I'll have things set up to minimize the amount of "air time" for the clam and even do a trial run with a rock with no clam on it to try and catch any hang ups. What's the proper way to "burp" the clam to try and get rid of excess air? Remember, it's attached to a hefty rock.

 

[ADS]

Here's a link to Knop's position on clams out of water.
www.reefs.org/library/d_knop3.html
I have only had to 'burp' my clams a couple of times. I couldn't find the reference. I just move the clam side to side if an air bubble is seen in the incurrent siphon below the mantle tissue. Usually they are able to get rid of it on their own. Good luck, Adam

 

[ADS]

Sorry,corrected link:
www.reefs.org/library/article/d_knop3.html

 

[BRW]

You guys say it's OK. Knop says it's OK. I think it's OK Thanks again. I'm going to be cleaning that rock today and will let you know how I ( and the maxima ) make out.