How to move a clam?

[diverdick]

I have a very nice Deresa that has managed to dig itself down into the rock I place him on 3 years ago. My question is, do I have a chance in he_l in moving it without killing it? I want to re-rock and it needs to move. Anyone ever had this situation?

Thanks a bunch.

Regards,

--Rich

 

[Maximus Clammus]

Yep just cut the clams byssal threads as far away from the clam as possible, thier threads are like our fingernails, they won't feel it. Just don't pull it off, this can damage the byssal organ causing infection and possible death.

 

[diverdick]

Maximus,

One problem I have is that he has burrowed into the rock quite a bit. Is there some elasticity in the byssal threads that will allow me to lift it up enough to get to the threads? Thanks for the insight!

--Rich

 

[Phyxius]

They tend to pull down on these threads if you move them at all clinging even tighter to what they have attached to. Its probably a defense mechanism of some sort also or way to keep attached against water movement. I have a Crocea that attached to a rock and placed its foot in a crevice 4 yrs ago and really likes the rock I guess. Through two tank moves now it has stayed there and if I move him I can feel it pull itself tighter against the rock.......There is no way I can get to the threads where they attach to the rock.
The rock is forever his.........Derasa clams will detach from the rocks when they get larger and wont attach again usually.Both of mine eventually did when they hit the 6" mark or so. I know its no help now but just a note for the future.

 

[diverdick]

Shoot, my mistake, it is a Crocea - not a Deresa....ooops

 

[Maximus Clammus]

Yep I agree with Mike on this one, unfortunatly if the clam has burrowed it isn't worth trying to move it. And Derasa's are very fast growers and tend to grow thier byssal opening closed over time and rely on thier wieght to hold them in place.

Crocea's are the clams that are more known to burrow, are you sure it isn't a Crocea?

 

[diverdick]

Yes. its a Crocea....my mistake above

 

[a4twenty]

if you can't get to the byssal thread, you'll have to move him with his rock.

good luck