Did your Clam eat your Fish?

Carriegiesler

Carriegiesler

New member
I have been doing a lot of research on Clams and the various types and care levels needed. From what I have read it seems that my tank is established (2 years )enough for a clam, however my confidence in not there yet.

Something that I am concerned about in keeping a clam is that I have read several threads in which the clam has closed on their fish, killing both. I have had quite the time getting my Black Ice Semi Snowflake and B&W O's to pair up, and I would be devastated if this were to happen to either member of my pair. Currently my clowns are not hosting. I would like for them to select a host before getting the clam to prevent this from possibly happening.
So I want to know how many people has this happened to? Do most clam owners never have any issues. I want to know the good, the bad and the ugly.

Thanks
 
I have 8 tridacnas in my tank. I've never had one close on a fish. My goofy tomato clown even sits in the center of a clam large enough to crush him and the silly clam stays wide open. Odd since there's a 12" green carpet that neither my maroon or tomato will host.
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It's much more likely that the clams will get nipped by the fish, but yours likely won't.
 
It has happened - and probably more than people share. Check out this TOTM and see the emperor angel....

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-08/totm/index.php


A local club member had this happen as well - although remarkably both clam and fish survived:

http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=12634.msg117566#msg117566

199_07_10_08_8_41_47_1.jpg


199_07_10_08_8_41_46_0.jpg


199_07_10_08_8_41_47_2.jpg


That stated - is it common? I don't think so. If you are truly concerned - you could consider a smaller clam. Less likelihood the head of a clown would even fit in the opening.
 
Hi,

Heres the answer to your question...

My clam closed up on my file fish today. I tried gently tapping the clam, but it only closed tighter. It released the fish after a few minutes... Hope he will be okay... Lesson learnt I suppose...

Every creature has a way of defending itself, not any different in you reef tank...

redir
 
Yup. This T. maxima and Eibli had been in the same tank for about three years along with a Flame, Coral Beauty and Lemon Peel angels. I have often seen dwarfs pick at particles on the surface of clams (and corals) but never see any damage although clams will usually partially retract. Damage to the short little "tenticles" the clam has over it's surface or inhalant siphon as well at nips to the mantle edge would have been obvious if any of the angels were nipping the clam so I quite certain the Eibli just startled the clam. This may be risking the other angels but I've left the clam in with them ;-)
 

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i know someone who it happened to with a 12" clam and a 12" naso tang. Both were seriously injured but fine after a couple months. what happened was he was feeding and some food fell straight onto the clam, and the tang went for it.
 
yeah it can happen, but the chances are slim. a dog can get hit by its owner's car, but that rarely happens either. having the right fish should not prevent you getting a clam
 
I suppose pictures don't lie (or usually don't) but I'd not have thought this possible. I've been keeping clams for over two decades and have never had it happen in my tanks. My suggestion would be that there are plenty of things to be concerned about before worrying about a clam snagging one of your fish by accident.
 
My clam just killed my file fish. I could not get the clam to release it. never knew that could happen but it did. I do not see the dead file fish !!!
 
I believe a clam killing a fish is one in a million, like getting hit by a meteor and surviving. Even if a fish lands on the clam, it will not always close.



"Clams are dumb"-Zefrank
 
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