I think I found the problem

[rydr119]

I think I found why some of my clams weren't opening like normal. After getting som advice lastnight, I got up this am to find one of my clams that wasn't having any problems pretty much completely gone. I freaked and pulled it out of the tank to find a small bristle worm floating to the bottom of the tank. I have heard that they can eat the clams from the inside out. I then picked up each clam and checked its foot and I found 2 more on another clam. That clam looks ok as far as I can tell. What can I do? this is what I found thins morning.

 

[rydr119]

 

[mbbuna]

most types of bristle worms are completely harmless and get a bad reputation because they are caught cleaning up dead/dieing things.

 

[rydr119]

So do you know what may have caused this? I am so clueless and I don't know what to do.

 

[mbbuna]

originally i thought it was one of your fish picking at them, still might be, have you covered them to protect them? but after you said you used joes juice to kill apitaisa on the clams shell im thinking this might have done it

 

[rydr119]

I did cover them today and the fish haven't shown any intrest in the new addition, this clam that died was no where near any of the aptasias that I tried to kill. Do you think a 25% water change would help?

 

[acrodave]

If you are talking about the clam in the pic that one is to far gone

 

[Kalkbreath]

I can tell from looking at the top edges of your clam's shell
(where the new scutes form ) that this clam has not been laying down new shell for quite some time.
It should be bright shiny white from the daily new calcite /arragonite deposits.
Something to keep in mind when diagnosing clam ailments...
When a hobbyists feels something killed or ate an otherwise healthy clam , having a look at the shell can provide an accurate record of clam health over the last few weeks prior to its death.
Judging from the crocea shell in the photo, I would venture to say that this clam has not been actively growing for at least a month or more.

 

[Kalkbreath]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10949918#post10949918 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mbbuna
originally i thought it was one of your fish picking at them, still might be, have you covered them to protect them? but after you said you used joes juice to kill apitaisa on the clams shell im thinking this might have done it

Burning a clams gills is never a something to be taken lightly. They respond by producing mucus which covers the gills to shield the delicate membranes from the substance.
This in turn invites all sorts of pathogens, bacteria and protozoa to colonize the juicy snot .
This combination of mucus and micro life can cusea the clam to suffocate by not allowing the clam's gills to work properly.
Death can come slowly or quickly depending on the severity of the conditions.

Burning can be caused when doing water exchanges(by too fresh a batch of seawater(caustic)
The kalk plume drifting onto clams when using Joes juice or adding lime water.
Even adding calcium supplements can cause clams to react by forming a mucus layer.
keep in mind that many calcium supplements now contain extremely high levels of Bromide. (Due to DOW brand changing formula)

...Burning a clams gills may be the greatest overlooked aspect of clam ailments!

 

[rydr119]

is there anything I can do for the ramaining clams?

 

[hahnmeister]

Yeah, I had clams do this as well. I think its from prolonged exposure to low calcium/alkalinity levels, and they seem to 'outgrow' their shells almost. They have a 'heart attack' and die.

 

[Zooguy]

Dieing clams

Dieing clams

I used to kill alot of clams, then one guys avise changed everthing. Dont add freshly mixed salt water. Mix it at least the day before. After I started this practice Ive lost only one clam when a rock decided to jump onto it from the top of the pile while I was cleaneing the glass.