Clam planted in sand

[elecbzerk]

Hello. I have a new clam for a little more than a week now, first one. It has moved a few inches than where I first placed it, and sort of planted itself in the sand bed. It has buried itself almost up to the opening. I tried to gently move it a bit, but it seemed attached to the bottom. Is this normal? Thanks for any help.

 

[TJ_Burton]

What species of clam is it?

 

[elecbzerk]

it is a Crocea. (sp)

 

[TJ_Burton]

Crocea clams bore into rocks - they don't usually take very well to being on the substrate. It most likely buried itself trying to plant down onto something solid.

I would recommend using a sharp sterile razor to gently remove the byssal threads from the bottom pane of your tank. Press hard against the glass (under the sand) and slowly and gently slide it underneath the clam. This will cut the threads, which will in turn allow you to move the clam. If done correctly this will not harm the clam in any way.

Move the clam onto a rock. This can be somewhere up in your rock work, or simply a piece of rock large enough for the clam to sit on, on the substrate.

 

[elecbzerk]

Whew...that sounds scary......

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13074833#post13074833 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TJ_Burton
Crocea clams bore into rocks - they don't usually take very well to being on the substrate. It most likely buried itself trying to plant down onto something solid.

I would recommend using a sharp sterile razor to gently remove the byssal threads from the bottom pane of your tank. Press hard against the glass (under the sand) and slowly and gently slide it underneath the clam. This will cut the threads, which will in turn allow you to move the clam. If done correctly this will not harm the clam in any way.

Move the clam onto a rock. This can be somewhere up in your rock work, or simply a piece of rock large enough for the clam to sit on, on the substrate.

 

[elecbzerk]

Ok, I did it. he is moved to a rock now. He opened back up in a matter of minutes, so I am guessing he is fine with the move. Thanks for your help!!

 

[TJ_Burton]

Not a problem at all!

 

[jadeguppy]

I have three. One stays on the rock, two jump off. I put them back up and off into the sand they go again. I finally decided they could have it however they like.

 

[IslandCrow]

If you want him down on the sand, just place him on a flat rock and then bury the rock beneath the sand. Of course, if he's staying put on the rock, I'd just leave him.

 

[elecbzerk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13122213#post13122213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IslandCrow
If you want him down on the sand, just place him on a flat rock and then bury the rock beneath the sand. Of course, if he's staying put on the rock, I'd just leave him.

Good Idea! he has moved a tiny bit but, seems to like the rock he's on. and the move got him closer to the lights as well. I do wish he would color up some more, but does not seem unhappy at all.

 

[clamdigs]

Just make sure that when you place the clam it is on and surrounding fairly flat areas. The pedal tissue that comes out of the bottom, if you touch it with your finger, it will retract. If a clam is set on a place that is "jagged" it will more then likely flop all over the place because that tissue is being poked at constantly.