Foot "came out" -- Did I just murder my clam? *pix*

[Newreeflady]

My clam was set between two rocks, only attached to one. I thought it wasn't looking great today, on it's incurrent siphon side its flesh had begun to be pulled into the shell. I wasn't sure if this was a problem, but since I am moving in a few weeks and was going to have to remove the clam from the rock anyhow, I decided to just do it now so I could get a better look at it tomorrow...

But, as I was tilting it and cutting threads, I guess I was taking too long for it and it simply ditched the entire footing. This includes threads and a very hard cartilaginous mass. Here are pictures of said mass (along with the threads. Will this clam die now?

thx,
-A

 

[mbbuna]

i wouldn't say its a goner. how is the clam acting now?

 

[Newreeflady]

Well, hard to say since the lights are off. But, it isn't completely withdrawn into its shell. I'm sure the hosting clownfish aren't helping the matter, but I can't, unfortunately, tell them to leave it alone!

Have you ever seen this before?

Am I doing something wrong with thread cutting for it to have ditched this whole piece? I thought we were supposed to lean it and use a razor... but, it became hard to get to the last threads, and as I was turning it to figure it out it simply "let go".

Thanks for any help!
I'll post an update soon...

Angela

 

[Xeroxman]

If I had to guess, it looks like thet clam is a goner.. But without having it in front of me.. It's hard to tell..

 

[mbbuna]

ive had them expel the gland on their own before and be just fine. ive never pulled one out before but have talked with others that have and most have done well after.

 

[Newreeflady]

It is not fully opened today, but it is definitely still alive. I am going to build a little "house" around it to protect it from the clowns.

I STILL have to cut threads from my other clam... now I'm really nervous

-A

 

[Newreeflady]

OK, so I just build a barrier of eggcrate around the clam. It should still get plenty of light I figure, but less bother from the clowns. (I'm sure they're ****ed since they've already been cleaning the area in prep for egg laying!)

So, what happened here? Was this its "foot"? And, what did I do wrong? I guess I leaned it too far trying to get the threads without cutting the foot. . . I'm absolutely confused as to how to properly do this. My poor clam. I hope it'll be ok.

-A

 

[Newreeflady]

Well, my "house" had some small gaps... my male clown was determined to get in! Once I saw him pass through the tiny barrier I decided to remove the grating for the good of the determined clowns who may scape themselves to death to be with their "host."

I think the clam is going to die. I am keeping an eye on it, but am not terribly hopeful

-A

 

[mbbuna]

i wouldn't give up hope on it just yet. just try not to disturb it any and i wouldn't worry about the clowns, the clam is pretty used to them and i doubt they are bothering it much

 

[Newreeflady]

Well, it looks like it's a goner. I am not sure the two events are related, though. I initially thought it didn't look good the other day, before this event, and that it had been withdrawing into its shell on the incurrent siphon end. I now see that this is for sure the case... it is well withdrawn on that side. I do not think that it can be saved, but I am leaving it there to see if it progresses more tomorrow. It is still responsive to light, and it is not gaping, and not closed... but, for lack of a better word seems 'listless'.

The clowns look worried. I know, maybe I'm projecting my feelings on them, but I swear they are being so gentle with it today... they must know.

Please tell me how to do this properly. I have another clam that I have to cut loose and I want to be sure I don't have this happen again.

 

[mbbuna]

keep your chin up

if you need to remove a clam from the rocks what you need to do is gently tip it to one side just enough to slip the knife under the clam. make sure you cut as far away from the clam as you can. you don't really need to see what you are doing as long as you are sure the knife is dragging along the rock its attached to rather then cutting close to the clam

 

[Newreeflady]

Thanks

When do I remove the clam? Its flesh has receded from its shell on one side, and you can see clear through the incurrent siphon to the base it's on. It is still responsive, closing when disturbed... and the rest of its mantle is still extended.

Tell me what to do. Please. Do I just leave it? When would you pull it?

Thanks,
Angela

 

[mbbuna]

i wouldn't remove it if its still responsive. these animals will surprise you sometimes

 

[mbbuna]

PM's cleared

 

[jdoenumber2]

I would get the water boiling about now. A little garlic butter and mmmmm.... j/k best of luck to you.

 

[Newreeflady]

The hole in its underside has healed over today. It is looking better, but is still not one with its shell on the incurrent siphon side.

Still extending its mantle, and still responsive (to the fish on occassion as usual.)

I'll update in a few days.

-A

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12508425#post12508425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Newreeflady
The hole in its underside has healed over today. It is looking better, but is still not one with its shell on the incurrent siphon side.

Still extending its mantle, and still responsive (to the fish on occassion as usual.)

I'll update in a few days.

-A

thats great!!!!!!!

please keep us posted

 

[skinz78]

can you post a pic of the clam so we can see what your up against?

 

[Newreeflady]

Thanks mbbuna for your help I am crossing my fingers for him (and of course testing the water like a madwoman!) He's already survived PM a year ago... so who knows, maybe he'll be OK.

I took pix today and will upload them later or tomorrow and post. I will take pictures every time I see progress or regress (let's hope for the former!) I'll be sure that you are in the know.

If this guy survives he will move with the other animals and I to the other side of the country in just 3 weeks!!!


Angela

 

[volcom69]

Wow that will be a long hall for you were you movin to. I hope your clam will make you seemed to do everything you could to help it. Good luck.