My clam is growing a beard!!

[tzylak]

No, seriously, when I got my 5" Maxima in March it had a nice, barren outer shell. Now it has a 1/4" thick growth all around and up to the line where the lips pout out.
If I like a clean and colorful clam shell, do I scrub it with a brush or deposit some snails to munch on the fuzz??
Plan 'B' is to leave it alone and go 'au naturalle'. . . . But that is plan 'B'.
Any other ideas? I am afraid to do anything wrong since these are delcate cratures wih a mind of its own.
Thanks!!

 

[Moeshi]

Pictures would be great to determine the course of action.

 

[GimpyFin]

Great thread title. :lmao:

 

[Reef Frog]

In Ocean City MD there was (maybe still is) a honky tonk bar called "The Bearded Clam". They probably sold as many tee shirts as cold beers.

 

[GimpyFin]

In Ocean City MD there was (maybe still is) a honky tonk bar called "The Bearded Clam". They probably sold as many tee shirts as cold beers.

That's great. Almost as good as Whiskey Dick's in Tahoe. "At least our drinks are stiff."

In all seriousness to the OP, some pictures would help to maybe see what's going on.

 

[fishchef]

Sounds like hair algae. I'd leave it alone.

 

[tzylak]

Pictures attached . . . hopefully. . .

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af187/tzylak/Blenny/DSCN2752_zpsuwnkgiyq.jpg[/IMG]



http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af187/tzylak/Blenny/DSCN2753_zpsifypvdjk.jpg

 

[tzylak]

Another picture:

 

[GimpyFin]

Definitely looks like a beard of hair algae. You might be able to get a good pair of tweezers and carefully pluck the long stuff without really messing with the clam much.