Does this clam look ok?

[caraj]

Hi everyone, I bought this clam at a local store and the receipt did not indicate what exactly it is. So I would like to read up on care for it.

Can anyone tell me first what type it is and also does it look ok? I see the toungue has not really moved from the same location in 2 days
How do I know its alive?
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11779713@N07/8671997031/" title="Untitled by caravellaj, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/8671997031_c03b37dc3b_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

 

[Reefnation.Jon]

nothing wrong really stands out.

 

[Breadman03]

It looks like you have it laying on it's side. They should be facing up so that the mantle is exposed to as much light as possible.

Pinched mantle disease and pyramid snails are the two issues I hear about the most. You might want to do a little reading on both of those just so you have an idea of what to look for.

 

[caraj]

OK thanks guys I faced him up so the light shines inside of him. Although I must have spooked him since he completly closed up now..at least I know he's alive
Can anyone tell me what kind of clam he is or are all clams cared for the same?

 

[Breadman03]

Live Aquaria is a great resource for basic information about many of the critters available in the hobby.

I believe that your clam is a T. Maxima. See the "scoops" on the side of the shell? Those are called scutes. Look around on that Live Aquaria page and compare the Maxima and Crocea images. You will notice that the scutes on a Maxima tend to be much more pronounced than those on the Crocea. The Squamosa and Derasa clams are two other species that you are likely to see frequently.

Also, clams attach to the rock they are placed on. Removing them is quite dangerous as you risk damaging a gland. I think it is called the byssal gland, but I could be wrong on the name. They should be placed so that they are stable, but can still freely open and close their shells.

 

[AquaTDV]

Looks like a Maxima, and they love plenty of light.

 

[x3thelast]

it's a maxima clam. Check it's underside for tiny snails that might be eating it alive. Read up on pinched manhole disease as well just so you know what to do if you see symptoms of it occur.

Good luck. It's looks pretty good!


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[caraj]

Hey thanks again everyone. from my reading I see its best to place him on a rock. Is it a problem to place him in sand since he fell off the rock I had him on.

 

[ssick92]

it's a maxima clam. Check it's underside for tiny snails that might be eating it alive. Read up on pinched manhole disease as well just so you know what to do if you see symptoms of it occur.

Good luck. It's looks pretty good!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pinched manhole disease? Now thats a new one... Try googling Pinched Mantel Disease

I'm guessing that was just an auto-correct typo but either way thats pretty funny

 

[Breadman03]

As long as you have enough light, you could place it on the sand, Just make sure there is some rock under it so it can attach to something you can easily move.