Help with my first clam

[s1267712]

I got my first clam yesterday. It is a pretty small crocea (I think). It seems healthy and I just put it in the tank last night about 6pm. It seems like it wants to open up, but everytime the clown or tang swims by above it, it retracts them comes back out. Is this normal and will my clam get to a point where it doen's retract everytime a fish swims by or do I need to move it to somewhere taht is very low traffic. if so, is there any way to encourage it to attach quickly to a certain spot or do I just need to prop it somewhere for a while?

Thanks with the help. When it gets comfortable I will take some pics of it.

 

[cristhiam]

That's normal, it won't harm the clam.

 

[a4twenty]

that's actually a good sign that you would look for if buying a clam

 

[s1267712]

Ok, I can understand that, but how long should it be before he opens up all of the way. I know I need to be patient, but I always get nervous when I place a new addition (especially a new species) and I am unaware of what to expect.

 

[Jeffrey Porter]

after a few days to a couple weeks, it will get used to it. when i try and cast a shadow over my squammie, it has an immediate reaction but closes very little. i guess its gotten used to the fact that now a shadow doesn't mean danger.

 

[hatfielj]

Yeah, give it at least a week before you start getting worried. If it doesn't open all the way after that then you need to start looking at other problems like water parameters or lighting. But, fish traffic won't bother them at all and the retracting is a healthy sign for sure.