My First Clams

[b.branscombe]

Hi everyone, I received these beauties today via the mail. Two croceas and one maxima. The crocea's are doing really well so far, very responsive to environmental stimuli and nice extended mantles, but I'm a little unsure about the maxima. His mantle is receded a bit, and he has one little bit of mantle damage near his base that one of my nassarius has taken a bit of a liking to. These pics were only taken a couple hours after introduction into the tank. How does the maxima look? Healthy enough I hope? Will the damaged tissue heal on its own? Anything I should do to help it along? Thanks a lot.

You can see the tissue damage at the bottom of the clam, it's the dark spot, near the nassarius.

 

[Rovert]

I'm not an expert, but were it me, I'd immediately move the clam as close to your lights as possible, and get either DT's phytoplankton or ReefNutrition Phytoplex from a local LFS. There are a couple possibilities that come to mind, here:

1) The clam is severely undernourished (is that some bleaching of the middle mantle area I see?)

2) The clam suffered shipping shock, and something to replenish its energy store would help.

3) The clam has PMD or pyramedellid snails, in which case, I'll defer to the experts in the forum.

Bottom line, feeding the tank with Phytoplankton can't hurt in any way, and might mean the difference between a beautiful teardrop, and snail bait.

Sorry, I hate to sound alarmist, but it's a gorgeous specimen, and it'd be a shame to lose it, for want of an effort. Presuming the clam pulls through, it'll repair its damage as it grows, but right now, you've potentially got bigger problems to deal with.

 

[Bebo77]

i agree with PM.. you need to dipp ALL the clams before it speads and kills them all...

always dip/QT clams before you place them in your tank..

 

[Barry N.]

I hesitate to say but I am surprised that some one would ship a clam in that condition. Possible your camera waste out the color but if not it appears to loss some of the Zoo.

Once a maxima starts to receed like that, normally it is just a matter of time. Sorry to say that! Maxima teardrops have a poor mortality!

 

[Rovert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9722338#post9722338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Barry N.
Maxima teardrops have a poor mortality!

Barry what is it about the Teardrops that makes them more sensitive than other Maximas?

 

[Barry N.]

Maxima in general are the hardest to keep of the Tridacnids. The teardrops are very senitive and I believe a lot of it is due to poor collection.

 

[b.branscombe]

Thank you for the replies everyone. I have placed a separated the clams in the tank from the cleaner shrimp, who seem to be irritating the clams. I have also target fed Kent's Phytoplex. I realize it's not as good as DT's or other live stuff, but I don't have access to that where I am located. The maxima is not really bleached on the top, that was mainly an effect of my poor camera.

 

[Rovert]

I really hope this works out for you. That's a beautiful clam, it deserves the best care you can give it, so that it'll grow and thrive.

I think that Pinched Mantle is a definite possibility, and you should inquire about a recommended procedure. But don't discount the necessity of good light. Please keep us informed of your progress!