Failure to thrive

[Neal Flomenberg]

I have 3 clams in a reef tank containing mostly LPS and SPS. The tank is doing well overall. I have 2 Croceas in the tank that are 3-3.5 inches and thriving so far. I picked up a third 1.75 inch clam billed as a Crocea (but looks like a small Maxima to me). It did fine for several weeks, but over the last few days, it is largely retracted into the shell. There is some exposed mantle, primarily at the two ends, but not so much in the middle. I do not see any snails (though I've been trying not to disturb it too much). Like the other clams, it closes if one of my hermit crabs tries to clean its shell, but I've never seen anything in the tank harrass it.

I don't think I have a general water quality problem based on parameters looking good and all the other life doing fine. Any ideas as to what this might be and what steps to take to avoid losing it?

Thanks,
Neal

 

[mbbuna]

there may not be anything you can do. if it is the size you say it probably is a maxima, and clams that size are very hard to keep.


can you post a photo?

please post all test results from every test kit you have.

what fish shrimp and crabs do you have?

 

[Neal Flomenberg]

NH3, N02, N03 0
pH ranges 8.1-8.35
alk 10
Ca 380-420
SG 1.025
Temp 77.5 - 80

1 yellow tang, 1 small blue hippo tang, 1 foxface, 2 ocellaris clowns, 2 banggai cardinals, 1 purple pseudogramma, 1, mandarin

1 LTA anemone, 2 crimson shrimp, 2 crocea clams, numerous nerite and cerith snails, 3 conch, numerous blue and red leg hermits, 2 emerald crabs, 5 sea cucumbers, 2 sand sifting stars.

Corals mostly SPS and LPS. A few softies including some xenia.

Thanks,
Neal

 

[jmaneyapanda]

well, it could be a mechanical irritant (like a fish or something picking at it), or adjustment (what type of conditions at the store?). Either way, as Mbbuna said- small clams are tougher to acclimate than medium sized. Good luck, and keep the conditions good- thats all you can do.