My hippo is sick!

[stealyourhouse]

I got this clam about 2 weeks ago. It is my second attempt at keeping a clam after the first Hippo I had was eaten by whelks. This weekend I noticed the clam's mantle was beginning to recede. He had moved very close to an encusting gorgonian, so I thought maybe that was irritating him. Yesterday I moved him away from the coral, and today I come home and he's gaping really wide and has receded much more.

My tank is a 36g with 220 watt Power Compacts.
Salinity: 1.025
Ph 8.4
Alkalinity: 10.6
Calcium: 380
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0

Can this clam be saved? What's wrong with him? Everything else in the tank is doing well.

 

[AttackDonut]

Examine the mantle

Examine the mantle

Are there any 'damaged' or nibbled spots? That could be a sign of disease.

In addition, about 2~3 months ago, there was a large discussion on mass clam die off in this forum. Seems a disease ran rampant through the sellers and wiped many out.

How long has your tank been set up? I understand Hippo clams are very demanding. What happened to the whelks? Examine also at night to make sure nothing it ticking it off.

 

[stealyourhouse]

I haven't seen any damaged spots. None that I can detect anyway.

I caught 6 whelks and haven't spotten any since. The last clam was eaten within a day of being placed into the tank, so if there were whelks in the tank still, I doubt the clam would still be here at all.

The tank has been running for close to a year. I've got a mixture of softies and SPS that are all thriving.

 

[stealyourhouse]

And as far as Hippos being demanding - I thought they were the easiest clam to keep. That's the reason I bought one anyway...

 

[Dean812]

No clam is truly easy to keep. Looks like hes a goner to me. Could be an unseen whelk.

 

[Peabody]

My money is on Whelks. My understanding is that some species are darn near impossible to erradicate from tanks. I know here at the National Aquarium in B'more they can't put clams in their one reef tank. It got whelks and they could never completely rid the tank of them.

That pic looks like true gaping where the clam no longer has use of his adductor muscle.

 

[nk57]

I would imagine it was the whelk as well. I too keep a hippo and it is one of the easiest clams to keep. I would definitely try to find the rogue whelk before you try another clam.

Nancy

 

[stealyourhouse]

Well yesterday it wasn't gaping so bad, so maybe there is still hope.

If this clam doesn't make it, I don't think I'll try any more clams in this tank. I haven't seen any more whelks, but I guess it is possible that they're in there.