Hi all...
Just got my first clam! A gorgeous 10" squamosa!
Put him in the tank on the substrate yesterday and all was fine. This morning, got up and saw that he had ejected his byssal gland (at least, I think that is what it is...bit of a newbie with regards to clams. Pic attached).
The clam had been at my LFS for about a week sitting on the substrate (prior to that, direct shippment from supplier in the US). I know the owners personally and am positive they would not have mishandled him (eg: ripping him off a rock or the like).
I did some reading on the byssal gland. There are several references to larger clams expelling the gland once they become large enough to settle onto the substrate on their own. Apparently, this is true of the larger (ie: squamosa) clams. However, there are also warnings about forcably ripping the gland out...can cause secondary infections that can kill the clam.
I think the byssal gland is what I'm looking at...anyone have any expereince with a clam losing this before? Would like to think it is a spontaneous reaction, but seems like a bit of a coincidence given the recency of the purchase. If there is anything I should be doing, would love to know...
BTW, the clam looks fine...is fully open and reacting to stimulus. Seems happy as a...clam...
Mark
Just got my first clam! A gorgeous 10" squamosa!
Put him in the tank on the substrate yesterday and all was fine. This morning, got up and saw that he had ejected his byssal gland (at least, I think that is what it is...bit of a newbie with regards to clams. Pic attached).
The clam had been at my LFS for about a week sitting on the substrate (prior to that, direct shippment from supplier in the US). I know the owners personally and am positive they would not have mishandled him (eg: ripping him off a rock or the like).
I did some reading on the byssal gland. There are several references to larger clams expelling the gland once they become large enough to settle onto the substrate on their own. Apparently, this is true of the larger (ie: squamosa) clams. However, there are also warnings about forcably ripping the gland out...can cause secondary infections that can kill the clam.
I think the byssal gland is what I'm looking at...anyone have any expereince with a clam losing this before? Would like to think it is a spontaneous reaction, but seems like a bit of a coincidence given the recency of the purchase. If there is anything I should be doing, would love to know...
BTW, the clam looks fine...is fully open and reacting to stimulus. Seems happy as a...clam...
Mark
