Flame Scallop - what is this part?

[makers marc]

Hi yall,

I'm at the 7 month mark for this scallop and recently noticed this arm like muscle that pokes around like a feeler? I tried googling "flame scallop anatomy" and couldn't conclude what it is. Any ideas?

 

[kfisc]

A best guess is something analogous to an intake siphon or a foot. Making it to seven months with one of those is incredible.

 

[Sk8r]

Very, very unusual. Most of these starve to death in short order. You're doing something right.

 

[joshky]

Very, very unusual. Most of these starve to death in short order. You're doing something right.

+1 Any chance we could get more details on feeding regimen/other details you think may be leading to your success so far?

 

[makers marc]

I honestly bought the scallop with expectations of what Ive read, that 6 months max is the longest itd survive.

My tank is a mixed reef tank that is now 1 year old, got the electric flame scallop at month 4. The first 4 months I would target feed it phytofeast (about 5-10 ml) with all the pumps and skimmer off about 1-2 times a week. Plus I also fed heavily for my fish and was never aiming for a ultra low nutrient tank bc I only had one SPS (Acro).

The last 3 months Ive reduced my phytofeeding to once ever 2 weeks bc I'm now trying to start growing more SPS. The scallop has moved twice over the time ive had it. Initially i placed it in a crevice cave near the front with good flow for viewing.

Only thing I can tell is that the electronic shows are not as rhythmic and consistent, but it still flickers. Probably a sign its not as good in health as optimal, but good enough to survive?

I do also have a tisbe culture in another tank that i use to add pods once a week for my mandarin... maybe that helps too?