How does my clam live under this...

[Dave12678]

I got this tank from my little bro. He couldn't take care of it and he just got a clam a month before I took over the tank. My question is how the hell did he live lol? My lighting isn't good imo here's a pic

I moved this tank 30 miles and only lost a anemone. This is my first salt water tank. I think I am very lucky when it comes to this clam. Here's a pic of the little guy.(hes in a 55 corner)

About a month ago he jumped off this rock and moved to the lower part of the tank. He left a white ball with strings off of it, what ever that was. Here's a pic after he moved.

Since I have had the tank I have order a better lighting fixture. Also improved water flow. I am trying to get a skimmer from a guy on this site as well. My main question is how should I introduce him to the light? And does he look healthy? I though I lost him after he moved to the sand, I thought he left his foot. Anyways what do you guys think?

Dave

 

[phishcrazee]

He looks pale, imo, I'd try moving him up to the top of tank to a place that he'll be somewhat secure in and not directly in flow. I'd feed him some phytoplankton, maybe every other day(?) Someone here will jump on and tell you for sure, I'm still new to clams myself It's good that you're trying to improve things.........

 

[Dave12678]

I don't want to move him because he push over a pretty big rock to get down there. He looks bad because of the lighting. Before I got the powerhead, I could look down in the tank and see his purple with blue streaks. The flow was more on top. Corner tanks are a pain in the butt to get flow and lighting for. I am going to up grade the powerhead to be able to control my flow better. Here is a link of the lighting I got http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/ultrareef/ It that company but 150 HQI MH and 2 65watt antanic bulbs. Not the best lighting in the world but came with the bulbs and was $300.00 I can't wait to get it.

 

[phishcrazee]

He should be closer to the light, I'd try and get him closer somehow.........

 

[sedorusc]

the least amount of light any clam should be under is a 150 watt mh. since you are waiting for yours I would move him higher in the tank. feedings of phytoplankton will also only help. I have to agree with phishcrazee

 

[a4twenty]

Re: How does my clam live under this...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9439707#post9439707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dave12678
I got this tank from my little bro. He couldn't take care of it and he just got a clam a month before I took over the tank. My question is how the hell did he live lol? My lighting isn't good imo here's a pic

it can take a very long time for a clam to die from improper lighting, months to a year ......

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9439707#post9439707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dave12678
About a month ago he jumped off this rock and moved to the lower part of the tank. He left a white ball with strings off of it, what ever that was.

the white ball of string is his byssal thread, they us it to attach to the rock for stability. if the clam decides to move he can release him byssal thread and move around then re-attach when he finds somewhere else he likes. i would guess that he moved in search of more light, it is unfortunate that he moved further away from the light but they are quite limited in their ability to move. he may also not have liked the flow where he was or it could have been completely something else.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9439707#post9439707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dave12678
My main question is how should I introduce him to the light? And does he look healthy? I though I lost him after he moved to the sand, I thought he left his foot. Anyways what do you guys think?

is the light being blocked by the overhanging rock? if it is you should move him out but i would leave him on the SB for now. if you move him back up he may just jump again. by the sounds of things your new light fixture is in the mail and the clam should be able to wait another few days. the reason i say to leave him on the SB is to help acclimatize him to the new light. a few days to a week down on the SB with the new lights then i would start moving him back up. the new lights are a vast improvement over the old ones but the are still on the lower end of the scale for a maxima clam. this link is to a thread on the lighting requirements for clams.

he looks ok ( very nice clam ) but it is hard to tell from the angle of the pics. could you turn off the pumps and take a top down picture? ( more because i just want to see him in all his glory , but also it will be easier to make sure he is ok ). the only thing i see ( and it is to be expected, with those lights ) is that his mantle looks to be reaching for the light. generally the mantle would be resting on the shell rather than reaching up but mantle extension can vary from clam to clam.

HTH

 

[Dave12678]

Yeah I will get a pic with the pumps off for you guys. I did a water change today and he looked great. I know there was some water flow on him before he jumped. He seems to like it down there, but after I get the new light I will try to move him back up.

 

[Dave12678]

Oh and the light isn't getting blocked from the rock over hang I just checked. =)

 

[Dave12678]

Here is a few more pics from the top. The pic isn't that great and he was sucked in a little. The one with the flash shows his color a little more, but the damn flash reflected.