Maxima Mantle Ruffling....

[Foster]

I noticed the the back part of my 4" maxima is ruffling...I guess this is what they call pinching?

I have had it for about 3 weeks now, and keep it on a flat rock...I just moved it to the sand a couple days ago, and niticed that the mantle is really stating to ruffle in the back part.

What causes this?

 

[Peabody]

Have you taken the clam out at night and checked for pyramid snails?

 

[Foster]

I have been checking with a flashnight at night, but have not taken it out of the water to look.....I belive that is going to be my next move....

 

[Peabody]

Be sure to check a while after dark around the byssal opening, the mantle, and the scutes.

If none are found the next question is what other fish do you have? Any blennies, angels, etc?

Then, what's your chemistry? CA/ALK? SG and was it measured by a refractometer?

 

[Foster]

I will re check all my parameters tomorrow....and yes, I have a refractormeter, and PH monitor.

Here are my fish, I have heard that blennies will nibble in not well feed, but have no witnessed this..

FISH:
(6) Blue/Green Chromis
(1) Powder Blue Tang
(2) Bicolor Bleenies
(1) Algae Blennie
(2) Bangaii Cardnals
(1) Gold Strip Maroon Clown
(1) Naso Lituratus

 

[Foster]

before the tank police come after me, the system is 225 gallons!

 

[Peabody]

BINGO!!! Bi-Color blennies are clam killers. I bet 100% that they're nipping..probably when you've not looking. In all cases I've heard, it's either the blennies, or clams, one can't have both.

 

[Barry N.]

BINGO!!! Bi-Color blennies are clam killers

yes yes yes...

 

[OrionN]

Well, I got a Bicolor Blenny in my tank with 17 clams. He does not bother any of my clams. This is not to say that all Bicolor Blenny are clam safe.
I also had a Black Blenny that I got before. He took semi circle chunks off of the clam mantels. I was able to remove him from my tank.