OK,
I bought a maxima yesterday. This is my first clam. It looked great yesterday. It looks like it is in trouble today. Here's the story:
I placed him at a 45 degree angle at the bottom of my tank. Half on the sand and half on a rock. There was a space under him that was not touching anything but I thought most of his foot was in something.
The first to come check him out were the peppermint shrimp. That was fine as he has some aptasia growing on his side. Later the cleaner shrimp stopped by. This didn't worry me either. He remained open and didn't seem to mind their attention.
This am I got up and turned on the lights. I found my emerald crabs (about 3) on him and one inside, picking away at the mantle. The clam was not reacting much to the crabs. I did see the clam close once and expel water. After a bit I became worried. The mantle was detached somewhat and appeared to be shrinking in. I stuck in my hand and removed the clam. It didn't move at all as I grabbed him. I placed him in my refugium under 1 - 65w SmartLamp bulb (50% daylight and 50% actinic), about 2 inches from the surface. The lights there will be going out in about an hour so if this is too close to the light then it shouldn't be too bad right away.
Anyway, if anyone has any advice for me, I would really appreciate it. If anyone from Portland could come by and take I look, I would love you forever. Well, maybe. Anyway, all comments are welcome.
Scott W.
I bought a maxima yesterday. This is my first clam. It looked great yesterday. It looks like it is in trouble today. Here's the story:
I placed him at a 45 degree angle at the bottom of my tank. Half on the sand and half on a rock. There was a space under him that was not touching anything but I thought most of his foot was in something.
The first to come check him out were the peppermint shrimp. That was fine as he has some aptasia growing on his side. Later the cleaner shrimp stopped by. This didn't worry me either. He remained open and didn't seem to mind their attention.
This am I got up and turned on the lights. I found my emerald crabs (about 3) on him and one inside, picking away at the mantle. The clam was not reacting much to the crabs. I did see the clam close once and expel water. After a bit I became worried. The mantle was detached somewhat and appeared to be shrinking in. I stuck in my hand and removed the clam. It didn't move at all as I grabbed him. I placed him in my refugium under 1 - 65w SmartLamp bulb (50% daylight and 50% actinic), about 2 inches from the surface. The lights there will be going out in about an hour so if this is too close to the light then it shouldn't be too bad right away.
Anyway, if anyone has any advice for me, I would really appreciate it. If anyone from Portland could come by and take I look, I would love you forever. Well, maybe. Anyway, all comments are welcome.
Scott W.