flame scallop...
- Thread starter JodiM
- Start date
SnoopyDaPimp
New member
Can you post a pic? That will help with ideas on how to remove. Definitely do not try pry them apart
Ron Reefman
Active member
Just put it in your tank. If the flame scallop isn't happy on the shell, it will move by itself. Or you could break the shell it's attached to so that only a small piece that it is attached to is left and then put it where you want it in the tank. Trying to pry it loose is a 75:25 proposition. It may come loose (75%) or you may damage it's foot and kill it (25%).
JodiM
New member
I can pull it out for a better pic if need be
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heathlindner25
New member
So your lfs glued that scallop to the shell? I would stop going there.
Good point.
2smokes
In Memoriam
Try to release him by using a sharp knife and put the knife between the glue and the bottom shell.The flame will still have the glue on it but you could try to take the glue easyer after ,bit by bit.Do not try to separate the flame from the glue directly because it might hold too well and you could crack the shell.If its not working then you could leave it that way or you could try to polish the big shell with an angle grinder or a grinder that has variable speed ,on low speed.You could polish a litle then rinse in a bucket with a litle saltwater then polish again 5 seconds, rinse in SW and so on.Dont polish until it heats .Rinse every 5 seconds in water to chill it and to wash the dust .Use a dust mask and gogles .Shell dust its bad for the lungs.
I'm not familar with scallops---do they have byssal threads, and is it possible the store did NOT glue it, but that the creature attached itself? If they do what clams do, it's a natural adhesion that should not be messed with. But I do not know scallops. I THINK they're free-ranging, no threads.
Ron Reefman
Active member
Sk8r, they do move around on their own pretty well by opening and closing the shell. But when they find a spot they want to call home, they do attach just like most other clams. We have a spot in the Keys where flame scallops are very common (red ones and white ones). They attach to the rock pretty well, but most of the time (75% or more), if you work at them gently, they will release unharmed.
But from the photo the OP posted, it looks like this one might be glued by the side of the shell to another shell? If the LFS did that, I'd quit going there!
ssick92
New member
I agree with everyone so far. They will attach when they are happy, but will often move around to different areas of the tank and attach only temporarily. Definitely looks like the LFS glued it to the shell because they attach at the base of the scallop, not on the side...
I'd use a knife and try to pry it off of the shell. Either way I wouldn't plan on having it more than a few months... And definitely stop going to that LFS if it is indeed glued.
I'd use a knife and try to pry it off of the shell. Either way I wouldn't plan on having it more than a few months... And definitely stop going to that LFS if it is indeed glued.
Ron Reefman
Active member
Mostly yes and a very qualified no.
They die in new tanks. They don't do well in tanks that are ultra clean or not fully matured. But in a mature tank, at least 1 or 2 years running, with more natural filtration like a refugium and good feeding practices, they can do well.
I've had flame scallops in my tank for years. The one I have even survived 4 weeks in a holding tank after my 180 sprang a leak and I set up a new system. It's now doing just fine in my 125. But the new tank has lots of mature LR, lots of corals, only 2 small fish and I feed fairly heavily. And a few weeks ago I set up a 50g refugium on a 125g tank with a 40g sump. No GFO, no carbon filtration, no phosphate reactor, no carbon dosing, just filter socks, a good skimmer and a healthy refugium.
shadowmonster
New member
JodiM
New member
Ok, so after days of watching it, I think it attached itself to the shell. He has been moving around, just enough for me to noticed that he isn't glued. So that makes me happy.
Yes, 8 know and haven't heard they don't last terribly long in tanks. I'm trying my best with it. Researching and asking questions, target feeding and what not.
Thank you everyone for your input
Yes, 8 know and haven't heard they don't last terribly long in tanks. I'm trying my best with it. Researching and asking questions, target feeding and what not.
Thank you everyone for your input
