Derasa Mantle Puncture, Please Advise

[Aimforever]

I've had a Derasa clam for a little over 2 years now... It was about 3.5 inches long when I got it and is now approaching 8 inches. It is absolutely beautiful and is one of my favorite creatures in my reef.

Sadly today while I was doing a quick frag over the display tank I dropped my needle nose bone cutter and to my absolute horror it fell like a torpedo and stuck the clam right in the middle of the mantle.

The clam has since opened back up, but is only extending it's mantle about 0.5 inches beyond its shell. Normally it extends a few inches... There is a puncture wound going through the mantle (slightly bigger than a pencil sized hole) next to the Derasa's outflow hole (whatever the name of that thing is, you know what I mean).

Is there anything I can do to help the recovery process, or is recovery even possible? I would be beside myself if the clam died as a result of my carelessness. I'm afraid this is probably one of those 'wait and see what happens' situations, but I was hopeful that maybe someone out there knows if the clam is surely going to die or if they are able to heal this kind of wound. Thank you for your help

 

[johnnybravo234]

It really depends on how severe the trauma was and whether or not it damaged any vital organs. The best thing for you to do for it is nothing. Dont bother it whatsoever.. there is nothing you can do for it except prevent any additional stress. Good luck. I hope it recovers.

 

[a4twenty]

i agree, they have the ability to heal but only time will tell.

good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[ssavader]

Aimforever- pic a residency in something other than surgery! Have you considered pathology? Ha! Where do you go to school? (I'm a USF Coll Med grad-1989).

 

[Aimforever]

Hahaha I'm not sure where I'm headed yet, although pathology is a definite possibility.

I thought I'd post updates for anyone who may come across this thread in the future. My clam is doing excellent!! In fact, during the time it took me to go to my computer and type my original post the mantle closed around the hole and sealed it up so it was barely visible.

Sorry for the weird lighting on the pictures. I was in a hurry and didn't adjust the WB.

Here you can see the original puncture wound.

About 30 minutes later the mantle has contracted around the hole to completely close it up.

The clam today, not even showing a scar! The wound is fully healed

 

[a4twenty]

great news and beautiful clam

 

[Aimforever]

Thanks! I would have been devastated if the clam hadn't made it. It was actually one of the first things I added when I setup my reef. Back then I didn't really know what I was doing and ordered a few fish, shrimp, and this derasa from LA when my tank was just a few months old. Luckily all of those inhabitants are still with me today.

Here's a picture of the clam the day I got it. It was kept under 130 watts of CF lighting for the first few months in a 36 bow (before I began doing more research about reefkeeping and started to realize the countless mistakes I was making).

 

[Steven1015]

thats a really nice clam glad that healed up

 

[johnnybravo234]

That is amazing. I know that they can heal but I didn't think that takes half an hour. What is wrong with surgery?

 

[ReefEnabler]

wow thats awesome!

It does seem they are pretty quick healers as long as conditions are good. A few weeks ago I added a Crocea to my tank and noticed it has some small bites taken out of the mantle that I had not noticed at the LFS.

Two days later I couldn't see any marks at all. Not the same quick dramatic healing, but I'd imagine that the edges of the mantle are less important to the clams health than right in the middle like where yours got damaged.