just not opening much

[phishlet]

I've had a maxima clam for over a month and a half now. It has never really opened much meaning the mantle rarely extends very far over the edge of its shell. It had been in a very reputable LFS for over a month before I purchased it and it looked great.

Anyway, upon acclimating it I put it on a small rock and within 24 hours the clam was firmly attached to the rock and has never let itself loose from the rock since.

I have taken it out of the tank (rock and all) several times for feeding DT's in a separate container. It certainly filters the water.

It is very light sensitive and will react to anything passing over the top of it.

I have done thorough investigations for snails and saw only two on its shell which I removed during the acclimation process. None on the bottom or near the mantle.

I really believe there are not fish or inverts picking at it; I have never seen such activity during the day and have monitored the tank several times in the middle of the night when only my moonlites are on and have not seen any fish or invert near it.

It's color is great; no graying or bleaching at all. The tips of the shell are white as well which would most likely suggest shell growth.

Lighting on my 125 gal is: 2 250 watt Ushios, 2 110 watt actinic URI's and 2 actinic T-5's. Clam was under single 400 watt Blueline at LFS.

Nitrates, Ammonia, Nitrite all fine. Test kit will detect small amount of phosphate.

All other corals are doing excellent and are all demonstrating signs of growth.

Any ideas? It really seems to be a healthy clam aside from the fact that it just won't seem to extend its mantle much. Too much light maybe?

Any comments appreciated.

 

[Fish-o-holic]

Is there anything around the clam bothering it? Possibly a hitch hiker of some sort?

 

[phishlet]

Is there anything around the clam bothering it? Possibly a hitch hiker of some sort?

I really don't think so. I've watched it closely over the last month or so; including getting up in the middle of the night with a flashlight. I have never witnessed any of my fish showing interest in it at all. The only hitch hikers I've ever seen were the two snails that were on it from the LFS which I picked off before even acclimating it. And I've not seen any more since.

I had also done a 30 minute RO freshwater dip thinking this clam was possibly plagued with the infamous pinched mantle disease. The dip did not make any difference (and yes the clam remained closed during the dip).

Its really strange. It seems so healthy and happy otherwise though it just doesn't open much.

 

[Fish-o-holic]

Hmm I am not sure then. I assume your calcium and alk levels are up to par correct?

Could the clam still be adjusting to your lights since it did come from a single 400w MH lamp? Do you have any other clams and if so, how are they doing?

 

[phishlet]

Hmm I am not sure then. I assume your calcium and alk levels are up to par correct?

Could the clam still be adjusting to your lights since it did come from a single 400w MH lamp? Do you have any other clams and if so, how are they doing?

I don't have any other clams at the moment (though I would love to successfully keep more of these beautiful creatures). I can say that all my other inhabitants (LPS, SPS, softies, zoo's etc.) all seem to be doing great.

Alk is up to par, Calcium is a tad low at about 350-400, but not bad.

I do have a fair amount of current in the tank. I wonder if it is receiving more current than it would like?

 

[BonsaiNut]

I have 8 clams in my system and there is plenty of current. Their mantles are very extended - to such an extent that when a burst of current hits them sometimes to mantle folds over on itself. I don't think the current bugs them in the slightest - I have seen clams in the wild in surf zones where I had to hold on for dear life in order to look at the clams.

How close is your clam to the lights? My clams are within 12" of my metal halides - and some are even closer. They are up on top of my rockwork and seem to really love it.

 

[phishlet]

Clam is on the bottom of the tank which is 24 inches deep minus about 6 inches of sand bed. So, 18 inches maybe?

 

[Bayliner]

my clam seems to be much happier up top near my 250w MH. He is presently about 10" away from the bulb.

having said that. I would think that if it was not getting enough light it would be out even more. Not possitive on that so
I would try moving him up and see if it makes any difference.

Cam

 

[ADS]

Not all maximas exhibit full mantle extension. I have had some for years that extended just beyond the new shell margins. They had growth and excellent coloration with plenty of light. My clams now also have variable mantle extension with the ultras extending further than the 1st grades under the same conditions.
Adam