Maxima vanished overnight.

[Tommy_13]

My Maxima (1.5 inches)was alive and we'll around 1am last night. This am on its side detached from rock and shell empty. Any explanation? Tank inhabitants are 2 photon clowns, pink spot goby, 2 anthias a sailfin tang. Inverts are a cleaner shrimp, CB shrimp and a small serpent star. No crabs. Any idea what could have done this? Maxima was showing good growth, no signs of distress. Stumped!
Thanks

 

[ezcompany]

baby clams, especially maximas are very fickle and vulnerable when young.
assuming your tank conditions didn't kill it, it could be a nice snack for your tang (although you won't have proof) if it was on its way out or if any weakness was detected, your shrimps probably took care of it before you did.

 

[jpa0741]

Not sure how long you had it or what might have happened but Small clams less then 3" do have a poor survival rate.

 

[Tommy_13]

Had the clam about 2 months. Like I said no signs of it being sick or distressed. I have a feeling it was my Tang, he is the only thing large enough to tear the clam off the rock.

 

[ca1ore]

Tangs may well nip at clams, but typically you will see that as a retracted mantle. I've never had or heard of one actually eating a clam completely. Likely the clam wasn't as 'healthy' as you thought and it just died and was CUC'd. When you say 'good growth', was the clam showing clear growth lines (manifest as a white edge to the shell)?

 

[Tommy_13]

Tangs may well nip at clams, but typically you will see that as a retracted mantle. I've never had or heard of one actually eating a clam completely. Likely the clam wasn't as 'healthy' as you thought and it just died and was CUC'd. When you say 'good growth', was the clam showing clear growth lines (manifest as a white edge to the shell)?

Yes, it had the new white edges. Opened up nicely and reacted to shadows. I think I may try another easier species or a larger Maxima next time.

 

[kegogut]

I actually had a scopas get his snout caught in one of my clams when he tried to nip at it. I couldnt get it out at first but after about 20 mins I was able to pry the clam open and release the tang with no damage to either. Wish I would've gotten a picture but I freaked at the time so I didnt think about it.

 

[SS_Sean]

My sailfin LOVES clams... especially about 2" venus clams. Sorry about the loss...

 

[jpa0741]

I would start with another at least 3"

 

[Tommy_13]

My sailfin LOVES clams... especially about 2" venus clams. Sorry about the loss...

I noticed my Sailfin was lurking around the rock where the clam was, I think he was looking for some more treats.

 

[Tommy_13]

I would start with another at least 3"

That's the plan. I will be keeping an eye out for a larger Maxima. Love the blue coloring.

 

[ca1ore]

Although absolute statements are, of course, invariably less than absolute; I have come to the conclusion that one has to pick 'fish' or 'clams'. My current tank has a heavy, and diverse, fish population and other than a particularly resilient deresa, I have had to remove all the other clams or lose them. Squamosa and Maxima are now in the frag tank, but both were looking very unhappy in the display. I don't know which fish were the culprits. I suspect the dwarf Angels, though I suppose it could have been one of the tangs as well. If you do get a new maxima watch it like a hawk.

 

[Gil03]

It was you coral banded that took it out, had the very same thing happen to me..I go to bed it was fine and wake up to a cleaned out shell. Next time it was my electric scallop same thing fine one night cleaned out by morning. I suspected my CB as he was the only shrimp in my tank so I traded him in and never had another issue with any clam or scallop.