Clam question

[redheaded_reefer]

Clam newbie here. A few days ago I bought a derasa for my tank (29gal). So far, all seems well. But it is doing something I am not sure about. Every once in a while there is a brownish string coming out of it's syphon. What is this? All my params are within the required specifications and I am using PC lights. Any ideas?

 

[reef-man_d-man]

are you talking about the clams waste product??

 

[redheaded_reefer]

That is the question......does a clam excrete out it's syphon?

 

[this is me]

i was about to post the exact same question!!
I bought a max and its doing the same thing as you're describing. I'm using 250 hqi
Just tagging along...

 

[redheaded_reefer]

Very cool. So your clam is doing the same thing, huh? I hope that is it just releasing waste and not it's zooxanthellae.

 

[this is me]

i hope so too.
wow you're putting a clam under PC! YOU BRAVE!!

 

[redheaded_reefer]

My clam is a derasa. They do not need as much light as maxims do. At least that is what I have read, anyways. Part of the reason I bought it.

 

[shk28]

Yes, the brown stuff that is coming out of your clam is waste, which can include old zooxanthellae. They seem to do it more when they are adjusting to a new tank or changes in lighting, etc., but mine still do it every so often.

 

[redheaded_reefer]

Thanks shk28! What a relief. As long as it is not expelling all of it's zooxanthellae. I wonder how long it takes for a clam to adjust to his new environment. I have heard that derasas can become more blue if exposed to enough light. Is this true?

 

[shk28]

I have seen a few pictures of blue/green deresas, but they are very rare. Generally speaking, clams that live in deeper waters are more brown/green while more shallow water clams are blues and purples. Thus, maximas and croceas can be very striking, but need MH lighting to really thrive. Squamosas and Deresas can live under less powerfull lighting but stay that brownish color. There is some research out there that says that the blue and purple pigments are produced as a kind of UV protection. I'm not sure if that's been totally validated or not though. I have seen some Deresas with blue on the mantle edge, but I've never seen one change color in response to intense lighting.

 

[redheaded_reefer]

Thanks for the info. As long as mine stays it's normal color and doesn't loose it's zooxanthellae, I will not worry.