Grrr what is wrong with this deresa?

[Bent]

So, I got this nice deresa from liveaquaria, and it's never acted right.

I posted this same thing in the tridacna clam section, but figured I'd poke the reef section too.

I've never had a clam act like this.

Every time I put the thing upright, it wants to just lay down. It takes it a couple days but eventually it lays down. The mantle has never really fully extended, and I've moved it three times trying to keep it pointed toward the light. The general consensus in the last thread was to just leave it alone. But im worried, I don't want to loose an expensive clam.

I've never seen one do this. Ever. Granted I've only ever had Maximas in the past. This is my first sand dweller.

Here are a lot of pics, let me know if you think it looks bad and what I should do. I haven't touched it in a couple days and it's almost laying down at the point.

Here is what he looked like 10min after I put him in:

And about 12 hours later:

I moved him to another spotand put him upright.

Sure enough 8 hours later, he looks like this:

I moved him a third time, put him upright and left him alone. We are at about 48hrs and he looks like this:

I think he looks like he is knocking on deaths door, but maybe someone else knows something I don't.

 

[Dmorty217]

Are your parameters all ok? It doesn't look like the clam is fully extended. I'm not a clam expert but I would venture to say it's sick or your parameters are off

 

[Bent]

Yeah my Params check out.

Ammonia 0
Dkh 9
Ca 425
Phos 0.02
Nitrate 0

Weekly 20g water changes with IORC.

Reefbreeder light schedule:

Ramp up to max 1200-1500, ramp down from 1600.
80 blue
50 white


I just now put him on a Rubbermaid lid and buried the lid. Maybe he's just trying to find something to attach to?

 

[ClownnGoby]

I'm no clam expert either I've only had a couple clams and never a dersa is it possible it has an air pocket stuck ? Have you tried to burp it ..

 

[Docdiggy]

My deresa took to my tank pretty quick. It's possible it wasn't burped. I have no experience with leds being my main light source. Deresa clams are the easiest of all clams.

 

[Bent]

Well it's not looking too good for him. I moved him again since he was pretty much laying on his side. This time I put him on top of a Rubbermaid lid and buried the lid.

He's opened up, but not mantle extension and he's looking awfully flaccid in there.

I've never had this much problem with a clam before.

 

[Tweaked]

Typically you shouldn't add clams and nems till at least the six plus month mark on your tank. An established tank is a must for those more complex animals. The clam specifically filter feeds and needs a diverse food supply.

 

[MondoBongo]

sadly he looks like he's on his way out. clams can be tough as far as finding a root cause for their issues. they often seem OK right up until the point that they're not.

i had a similar issue with a DD derasa clam. came in and seemed OK, never really opened up fully, then went down hill fast and died. i never did figure out what happened.

 

[Bent]

Great. 130 bucks down the drain.

Edit:
Why is the new guy happy my clam is dying?

 

[Ellery]

What do you have your lighting intensity set too. Clams need a decent amount of light, usually mh levels.

 

[Docdiggy]

I was wondering the same thing about that guy. That also seems pricey for a derasa.

 

[Bent]

I was wondering the same thing about that guy. That also seems pricey for a derasa.

It's big. About 6".

 

[anbosu]

Great. 130 bucks down the drain.

Edit:
Why is the new guy happy my clam is dying?

It's spam, just report it and it'll go away.

 

[Breadman03]

What I notice is that there is no apparent new she'll growth. See how there is no lighter area along the edge? That suggests the clam isn't in good shape.

 

[Bent]

What I notice is that there is no apparent new she'll growth. See how there is no lighter area along the edge? That suggests the clam isn't in good shape.

I did notice that when I got it.

This morning I started blasting him with 100% on both channels, and he looks a little better I think. He's starting to get some mantle extension.

Maybe he was just light starved?

 

[anbosu]

It does look better, that's weird.

 

[Xxero]

How long have you had it?

 

[ReefWreak]

Sorry to hear that it isn't doing well. I know my derasa hasn't ever really seemed particularly happy. I've just left him alone on my sandbed, and he's actually been fine and growing (and mostly being responsive, not as responsive as my maxima). I was annoyed that he kept moving himself around or falling on his side, but eventually it settled in, and now it still moves a little bit every few days (I notice he shifts positions) but overall seems okay and healthyish. Still sluggish to respond, but maybe it's just a Derasa thing. I've only had crocea and maximas before. This one has always felt like he was knocking at death's door, but ultimately it's growing, and hasn't gone away yet.

Mine does have a bleach spot though unfortunately that isn't going away, and may never go away, right in the front of the mantle

I would say leave him alone, let it figure out how it wants to be, and hopefully it settles in.

 

[Bent]

How long have you had it?

I think today makes day 7?

 

[Bent]

Sorry to hear that it isn't doing well. I know my derasa hasn't ever really seemed particularly happy. I've just left him alone on my sandbed, and he's actually been fine and growing (and mostly being responsive, not as responsive as my maxima). I was annoyed that he kept moving himself around or falling on his side, but eventually it settled in, and now it still moves a little bit every few days (I notice he shifts positions) but overall seems okay and healthyish. Still sluggish to respond, but maybe it's just a Derasa thing. I've only had crocea and maximas before. This one has always felt like he was knocking at death's door, but ultimately it's growing, and hasn't gone away yet.

Mine does have a bleach spot though unfortunately that isn't going away, and may never go away, right in the front of the mantle

I would say leave him alone, let it figure out how it wants to be, and hopefully it settles in.

Exact Same here. This is my first derasa. I've done fine in the past with crocs and maxes.

I thought derasas were supposed to be easier. What gives?