FW dip killed my clam(s)

[jamal-188]

The story begins about 10 months ago when I get my first Maxima. It does great for 7-8 months growing from about 1.5" to about 2.5-3". 2-3 months ago I got a 4" crocea and a 4" maxima. Within a few days all three clams have pinched mantles. I dip them in pH corrected FW for 25mins. Within a few days they are all looking much better. They never totally get rid of the pinching over the next month or so and the crocea looks the worst barely even exposing it's mantle. So last night I decide to dip them again. I add some buffer so pH is 8.1 and dip the three clams. I removed the corcea after 20 minutes figuring it may not survive the dip and removed the other two clams after 25minutes. Today after work the 4" maxima is dead. The crocea looks pretty bad and little maxima is still pinching. I'm so upset these clams cost a lot of money and now all three may die I love clams and want to buy more but am so worried this will happen again.

 

[MiddletonMark]

Why the FW dip?

 

[jamal-188]

Pinched mantle, from what I've read it seems to be the best way to rid the clams of this......

 

[Reefmaniac1]

Where did you read that? Never heard of a FW dip, except for parasites on fish...even then it is just a temporary thing as it only kills the parasites that are outside, on the fish not in the tank. Pinched mantles are usually a sign of stress from things like: Not acclimating them to current lighting, starvation (they DO have to filter food out of the water), things like this.

I could be wrong, but it sounds to me like you got some bad advice that caused the death of your clams. My sympathies for your loss.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I first read about it here on R/C-about diping clams- and have done it to 3 of mine. 1 has since died. I believe that he was a goner anyway. It seems to be a very controversial issue. Most of the big names do not reccommed it. I belive it did help the other 2.

 

[AcroSteve]

I have dipped mine seveval times with generally positive results.

I had the same situation. New clams and pinched mantles.

 

[klasiksb]

It seems after a week, every new maxima I buy gets a pinched mantle. I've done many FW dips and only lost one clam, and that one I did not do correctly. I had the water temp. too cold.

 

[xrunner1234]

I guess the question is, why do a FW dip? What does it do and what is the cause of the pinched mantle?

 

[AcroSteve]

what is the cause of the pinched mantle?

That is the key question.

The only thing I have read that gives results is the FW dip. In my experience, it is just a temporary improvement.

 

[jamal-188]

So what should I do, my crocea still looks terrible, it barely exposes it's mantle at all so I"m sure it's days are numbered. My maxima still has pinched mantle. I want to get more clams but am afraid they'll get this too.

 

[MiddletonMark]

What are the conditions in tank?

If multiple clams are having issues, IMO then it's due to conditions in the tank. Unless it's some predator like Pyrammelid [spelling?] snails ... I'm doubtful that the same condition would affect different species of clams.
Just a guess, but when multiple species of anything in my tank look off - IMO it's in the tank conditions or something like that.

 

[jamal-188]

I don't see how it could be tank condition. Amonia/nitrite are both 0, nitrate is <5, Mg is about 1200, Ca 400, alk 3.5meq/l.

I also belive it to be some parasite/disease because my first maxima was doing great for 8 months or so, then within 3 days of adding two new clams all three clams had pinched mantles.

 

[AcroSteve]

I also belive it to be some parasite/disease because my first maxima was doing great for 8 months or so, then within 3 days of adding two new clams all three clams had pinched mantles.

I agree with this due to my experience with an existing crocea and then a new crocea casued both to have pinched mantles.

I will say I have a derasa that has been uneffected by this condition. This was my 1st clam and was in the tank many months before the others were added. Just seems to be maximas and croceas from my experience.

 

[jamal-188]

Acrosteve, do you still have this pinched mantle problem? Have you lost any clams to it? I'm just not sure what to do, I would really like to purchase some more clams but not until these either die or it clears up....

 

[AcroSteve]

I lost one maxima to the FW dip. It was the smallest(<3") and the worst off.

Yes, I still have two clams with slightly pinched mantles. I have not treated them in a couple of months and will not unless they get worse.

I have no plans for any additional clams. Even so, I would be hesitant to spend the $ for any more. Even though I would really like a nice teardrop maxima.

 

[2Rockstar]

Really new to clams. I would like to find out more about your problem jamal-188. Can you post a pic of your clams so I woud know for the future how pinched mentles look like.

Thank You.