Maxima Clam Removal Qusetion.

[SarasotaDiver]

Hi Gang! I got a Maxima in my tank and it is on a big rock...long story short I need to remove the clam from the rock, but I have no idea how. I think it is ancored down in a small hole. Is there any way I can do this safely or forget about it? The size of the clam is about 2". Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[MichaelLitoris]

I've been looking for an answer to this question too but found nothing so far on Reef Central (love the site but the search function is well, limited; my maxima clam is attached to a rock, but one of the sides is too close to the rock's wall and I'm a little worried about the clam's growth being in that awkward position, I would like to move it 1 inch to the left on the same rock to give it more space.

I've read on other web sites about ice cubes, razor blades, twisting the clam, ... a chisel to break the rock? to me, my clam looks so delicate, I really don't want to hurt it, so far everything I've read seems pretty barbaric, lol.

 

[surge19us]

I had to move a crocea after a Monti cap over grew it. If you shade it for a period of time it will begin to let go on its own in favor of finding a new location. Mine had lost color but released easily from the rock after being shaded for a few weeks. It is now colored back up on the other side of the tank. It's not quick but more on the clams terms.

 

[MichaelLitoris]

Good trick, I'll give it a try. Thanks.

 

[a4twenty]

if you can get under the clam, use a razor blade to cut the byssal threads. this needs to be done as far from the clam as possible to avoid damage to the byssal organ.

if not, i would try to move the rock and clam together. this is why we always suggest getting new clams to attach to a small movable rock as soon as possible.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15448198#post15448198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MichaelLitoris
love the site but the search function is well, limited

the search function is hugely over used and priority is given to contributing members ( which is fair, i think ) searching can still be accomplished quite easily using almost any search engine.

just include the phrase "site:reefcentral.com" or on some engines the phrase "domain:reefcentral.com" in your search string and you will get results. this same method can usually be achieved by clicking on advanced options and entering the site/domain name.

HTH

 

[OrionN]

What you do is to take the rock and clam out of the tank and use a share knife or scissor to cut the basal thread. The thread is not living tissue and can be cut without harm to the clam. You need to push the clam to lift him off the rock slightly on one side and slip the sharp knife or scissor into the space between the clam and the rock and cut these thread. Be careful not to cut any living tissue or you rick infection. Do use too much force quickly or you can tear the basal gland/foot of the clam.
I use sharp and pointed scissor to cut these threads. I sometime have to do this and never hurt the clam. They all live and reattach very quickly if heathy

 

[Hephalump]

My clam just released from the rock it was on after I shut the lights off for 3 days due to a heatwave. Now that the lights are back on he is reattaching. Try leaving the lights off for a few days or as suggested above shade the clam significantly. Personally I wouldn't mess around with trying to cut the poor thing unless it was as a last resort.

 

[Lockhartia]

I have a monster crocea I needed to move, and cutting was not an option. I rotated the rock it was on so the clam was shaded and in on an awkward angle. He got irritated and two days later I came home from work to find him in the sand! Put him on a small (easily movable) rock this time!