Clam Question

[RevJDA]

I have a Crocea clam in my 75 gallon tank. I noticed this morning that it is somewhat pale in color and it is not responding well to stimulus. It's shell is mostly open and I think it is dying. I did move it higher up in the tank hoping that it may survive, but I have serious doubts. I think one of my MH bulbs is failing and I ordered a new one yesterday. Here's my question: How does one humanely euthanise an ailing clam. I really hate to have anything "suffer." By the way, it has been very healthy up until yesterday or the day before. It gets regular supplements of iodine and other trace elements. Otherwise the water parameters are all within recommended levels.

 

[kfisc]

Sorry to hear it. Croceas can show amazing resiliance- I'd do everything possible to make sure the tank conditions were appropriate, and just leave it be (no more moving it around). When they go, it's very fast, so I'd just wait and see if it might not come back.

 

[RevJDA]

Thanks for the encouraging word. I'v had this clam for a couple of years and I would hate to lose it now. It will stay put,and it does have a little more color this afternoon and it is responding a little when a fish darts by it.

 

[o.c.d.]

I know what you mean about suffering but if it makes you feel any better clams don't have brains so pain is not really a response in that shell. They only react to the environment. Don't watch sponge bob it's not real ( sorry bad joke)

 

[RevJDA]

I guess the "pain" is all mine. I'll just continue to watch and hope that it recovers.

 

[aww_419]

keep us posted

 

[RevJDA]

Thanks. I had to take the clam out of the tank yesterday. It was naot responding at all to the fish, and it was beginning to show signs of deterioration. It looked in good health just a week ago.

Thanks. It will be awhile before I can get another clam--they tend to be really expensive around here (Eastern and Southeast Nebraska). But I will try again.

About what is the life expectancy for a clam in a closed system?

 

[quicksilverq]

some times You can feed dt's phytoplankton and can bring them back I had a Larg Blue squamosa shiped to me and it's shell tore through the bag and was out of water god knows how long. He was looking really bad when I put him in the tank Had no water to stat with after 2 weeks he started to open a little and when he started looking good my stupid clowns hosted to him and thats not good on a new clam all and all took him about 2 months to recover and now he one of my favorites. RevJDA I think the hawaii aquarium has had one for over 35+ years and a clam can live over a 100 been a long time since I have read that stuff so might be a little off but pretty sure about the Hawaii clam.

 

[RevJDA]

Amazing! What an experience to actually nurse an animal back to life. No wonder this is one of your favorites. I have used dts, but it is very hard to obtain where I live. Omaha and Lincoln have the largest fish stores and Lincoln never stocks dts and only one stoe in Omaha will order it, and they aren't consistent. I have ordered from online, but the shipping plus the cost of the product is a real pinch.

Thanks for the inoformation about lifespan.