Gapping
- Thread starter bkv1997
- Start date
bkv1997
New member
After reading around here I decided to lift the clam out of the sand bed to see if i could see any pests bugging the clam. After lifting it up i found what appears to be a Astrea Snail on its foot.
It doesn't appear that I can easily remove it. Either the snail has a death grip on teh clam or the foot has grown into the snail shell.
Any advice?
It doesn't appear that I can easily remove it. Either the snail has a death grip on teh clam or the foot has grown into the snail shell.
Any advice?
bkv1997
New member
The clam is obviously upset about something and has been since thursday night August 3rd.
It doesn't appear to be able to close completely and is looked wedged open. Why I started looking for help. After reading a few other threads I decided to pick it up to look for pests on the other side etc and found the snail.
Here is a top down.
Thanks for your help.
Brandon
It doesn't appear to be able to close completely and is looked wedged open. Why I started looking for help. After reading a few other threads I decided to pick it up to look for pests on the other side etc and found the snail.
Here is a top down.
Thanks for your help.
Brandon
reefer5060
New member
do you have a starfish in the tank?
jay24k
Active member
You can one of two things. Hope it is not pinched mantle disease and you will need to do a fresh water dip.
If the snail bothers you, very carefully, cut it out with a razor. As you pull the snail gently, cut the threads grabbing onto the snail. If the turbo snail was truly bothering it, it would not be holding onto it. However it could possibly be stuck so you might need to rip it out. I've cut threads of clams several time when they stick to a rock they have no business sticking to
If the snail bothers you, very carefully, cut it out with a razor. As you pull the snail gently, cut the threads grabbing onto the snail. If the turbo snail was truly bothering it, it would not be holding onto it. However it could possibly be stuck so you might need to rip it out. I've cut threads of clams several time when they stick to a rock they have no business sticking to
bkv1997
New member
jay24k:
Doesn't Pinched mantle usually come from adding new clams? I haven't added any clams/LR etc in over a year and the other two are perfectly fine.
So I was just kinda leaning towards the snail as being the different, especially since it appears to be up in the snail.
Brandon
Doesn't Pinched mantle usually come from adding new clams? I haven't added any clams/LR etc in over a year and the other two are perfectly fine.
So I was just kinda leaning towards the snail as being the different, especially since it appears to be up in the snail.
Brandon
RCS
In Memoriam
Is the snail actualyl dead? I'm wondering if perhaps the snail got stuck there, died, and the clam (for lack of a better term) inhaled dead/decaying snail parts? Might throw it off for a bit. How long has the clam been doing this?
BTW, you got me worried there for a second. Where's the pics of the maxima??
BTW, you got me worried there for a second. Where's the pics of the maxima??
jay24k
Active member
Usually pinched mantle happens with new clams added. Have you added anything else lately? Hopefully removing the snail helps. I would give it 48 hrs max and then post on here. I've never had to do a FWD on a clam but several on here can give you good sound advice on how/when to do it.
jmaneyapanda
Commencing hatred
honestly, I haven't heard or many (or any) gaping clams recovering, but clean water is always the best start.
bkv1997
New member
They are in a SPS 100 gallon tank running an MR-2r and carbon 24/7.
The other clams and all the SPS are perfectly fine. I did a 20 gallon water change early am saturday. I'll try another again tonight with another full set of tests.
Thanks for the help. I guess i'm just at a loss I've had clams for 4 years and never had any issues.
Will keep everyone posted.
Brandon
The other clams and all the SPS are perfectly fine. I did a 20 gallon water change early am saturday. I'll try another again tonight with another full set of tests.
Thanks for the help. I guess i'm just at a loss I've had clams for 4 years and never had any issues.
Will keep everyone posted.
Brandon
I didn't know clams could "inhale" up their rear end?????
Sorry Fred I had too
I am sorry about your clam Brandon
FWIW IME clams sometimes tend to take a while(2 months or so) if they are unhealthy(typically from poor acclimation and/or stress during shipment) to show outward signs and I would suspect that as the case with your clam LBCBJ.
Chris
bkv1997
New member
Chris:
Thanks. The clam in question was the last one added to my tank.
However it was 6-8 months ago. I was holding it for a fellow reefer who had to break down his tank for a year while moving into an apartment here in town...
It appears to be getting worse each day. I found the cleaner shrimp eating at the browning parts down inside the siphon hole(quess thats the correct term) and it didn't close up.
If I don't see signs of improvement tonight I'll be removing it from the display.. Don't want to take any chance of gunking up the water, etc.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks. The clam in question was the last one added to my tank.
However it was 6-8 months ago. I was holding it for a fellow reefer who had to break down his tank for a year while moving into an apartment here in town...
It appears to be getting worse each day. I found the cleaner shrimp eating at the browning parts down inside the siphon hole(quess thats the correct term) and it didn't close up.
If I don't see signs of improvement tonight I'll be removing it from the display.. Don't want to take any chance of gunking up the water, etc.
Anyone have any suggestions?
