How do you know when a clam is over extending it's mantle?

[8x8nhl]

I was wondering how you tell when a clam is over extending is mantle? I have a crocea clam on a small rock in the sand in my 75 gallon witch has 2x250watts of mh and 2x110 watts of vho. Could he possibly not be getting enough light?

 

[mbbuna]

got a pic?

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I would think that would be enough light.

 

[8x8nhl]

Sorry, no picture I don;t have a digital camera.

 

[a4twenty]

crocea extend their mantel's further than other clams. your lighting is adequate as long as the bulbs aren't really old. maybe take him off the bottom and place him up on the rocks.

 

[8x8nhl]

Will do!

 

[Peabody]

Look at the pics in this thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=959927

That's classic hyper-extending. Notice how in the 2 side shots the clam is trying to stretch his mantle towards the light to soak up every photon he can. Not a good sign, IME.

 

[RFC]

LOL

 

[Lagger]

Dont mean to interrupt the fued here, and RFC no offense because I like your tank very much, but the clam is hyper-extending, even though it is very high up in your tank. I do not have enough experience to say whether this has any influence or is an indication of the clams health or not.

I'm in the same boat as you RFC trying to keep a crocea under PC's, and I'm noticing my clams mantle is getting a *little* larger in month 2 now, although, I have noticed new shell growth. And not side shell growth, but new schutes growing on the tip of the shell itself. They look nice and pearly like an abalone

Overall, looks like you have a fairly new tank(?) and maybe your cal/alk levels aren't established. It's hard to get them up and keep tham up, however, maybe it could help the sponge(clam) stay healthy. Rest of the tank looks great BTW. Like the montis at the top. Peace_