Got my first clam: Questions

[zeblisik]

Ok, so maybe I should have done more research before getting one, but I got a small green maxima for a good price.

So I've had her (do they have genders?) for 1 day and she has already started attaching to the rock I put her on. I found out because when I got home today there was an astrea stail on top of her. Is this bad? I tried coaxing the snail off but it wouldn't move; it actually just waltzed off a few min later. Is this a problem? I even tried lifting the clam up to help take the snail off thus finding out the clam was already attaching to the rock.

Also about attaching; how do you get a clam off a rock that its firmly attached to? should I set it on a piece of smaller rock?

i have a good amount of flow in my tank, so much so that the clams mantle flutters from time to time, is this too much? Should i reposition the clam?

 

[skinz78]

The flow shouldn't be a problem unless the mantle is folded over unnaturally and held there. To remove the clam you just cut the byssal threads as far away from the clam as possible. Don't ever pull the clam free, you will kill it. The threads are like our fingernails and hair, it won't feel you cutting them. The snail shouldn't be a bother to the clam.

Here is a good link to read up on for first time clam owners.

clam care

 

[brayden]

Why do you want the clam off the rock? Usually when they attach themselves, it means they are where they want to be. I have a few clams and two of them repositioned themselves in the tank and then attached to the rock. They are doing great. If you can leave him and maybe adjust the rock a little, that would be ideal.

 

[brayden]

In response to your current. Clams as well as other species in your tank would love change. My two return pumps are on either side of the tank directed towards the middle, but I also have 3 powerheads that go on and off at different times throughout the day and then mostly stay off at night. Ever since I did this sort of wavemaking system, things have done so much better in my tank. Just a thought.