Derasa not retracting

[rssjsb]

I've had this clam for 3-4 months. It's about 4" long and has shown good growth since I got it.

This morning I had my hand in the tank for something and noticed that the mantle retracted but that the clam did not shut when the crocea next to it did. I picked it up (I know, probably a bad idea) and it still didn't shut. The distance between shell halves on the bottom seems "wider" on one side than the other.

Can anything be done? Is the clam doomed? It still has great color, the mantle is fully expanded, and it isn't sliming.

 

[mbbuna]

clams dont always fully close, i wouldn't worry about it. i have a large squamosa that i can take out of the water and its shell stays open with the mantle still out

 

[smithcreek]

Here's the best way to see if the clam will fully close, works every time. Take the clam out of the water and point it's incurrent siphon at an object that you DON'T want to get wet. That could be your face, a metal halide pendant, electrical outlet strip, etc. If a clam is healthy there is NO WAY it can pass up the opportunity to douse the object with water.

 

[rssjsb]

Thanks. That's a relief.

The thing that alarmed me was when I passed my hand between the clam and the light, it didn't react at all, while the crocea clamped shut right away. The derasa has never failed to react to a shadow like that.

Then I looked in after lights out, and the clam was closed. I guess I'll stop worrying.

(smithcreek - LOL. I'll keep that in mind and remember to aim away from my face. Maybe at my husband.)