Derasa Hinge Tissue Question

[SEAMONSTER]

FOR SOME STRANGE REASON, THE HINGE of my derasa is no longer. The clam still opens fully, but the only thing holding the shells together is the live tissue, no hinge. I took it out yesterday to inspect it. It shut very tightly. Could not locate any signs of predation by snails or worms. Might have overlooked something though. It has been like this for about a week. Derasa is simply placed on the sand. Shell diameter is around 4 to 6 inches. Does the hinge tissue grow back? Is the derasa a goner? Had the derasa for around a year or so. Have a teardrop max (for around 6 mos) on sand around 3 feet away, no problems. Also have blue crocea (for 8 mos) no prob. Croce is attached to rock. Any Ideas? Ever heard of this happening?

Thanks guys!

 

[Julio]

i would leave it alone if is gone i am sure it will fuse itself as the shell grows, in the mean time make sure that it is not beaing nipped on from below by brisstle worms or something else.

 

[SEAMONSTER]

DERASA HINGE

DERASA HINGE

Thank you!

I am not sure if it is being attacked by bristleworms. I have a canary wrasse and a sixline wrasse. I was hoping that these two would alleviate predatory problems with the clams. This is a strange phenomenon (I talked to my local fish store Jeff's exotic, and they have never heard of this happening. I will keep a lookout for worms and such though. Do you think the hinge grows back? What position should I keep the clam in?

 

[Julio]

if you can elevate the clam on a piece of pvc and just keep him right side up, i doubt the hinge will grow back but it will fuse as the shell grows, as long as the clam is healthy i would not worry about it.