Need to move a clam

[rottielover]

Hi all,

I have a small Crocea about 3 or 4" that moved off a shell I had him on and imbedded himself in my sand bed a couple months ago. My goby dug that area out and he's probly sitting on 1/2 to 1" of araginite sand. When I tried to move him (gently) he would not budge.

So I've just been leaving him alone since he looked OK, but recently I noticed that his vivid color's have faded a bit, and I fear he's just too far away from my lights (he's in about 24" of water under a 250watt 14K MH.

I'd like to move him up on the rockwork, but I'm extremely fearful of damaging the foot and killing the clam.

I fear that once I flush the sand out from under him, I'll find him attached to the bottom glass.

Any advice???

 

[rottielover]

I tried looking in Daniel Knop's book "Giant Clams" but I couldn't find anything about moving an attached clam....

 

[menace]

what is he attached to? glass bottom of the tank?

 

[rottielover]

He's attached mainly to the glass bottom, and also to the araginite sand around him. I tried to gently "sweep" away the sand around him, but the threads are holding most of it.

 

[menace]

you can use a razor to cut the byssal threads they use to attach. cut the threads closest to the point of attachment. (the glass).
try to sweep away as much sand as you can. he may retract his foot, exposing more of the threads.

 

[rottielover]

Thanks,

I'll give it a try later this week!

 

[Snprhed]

if you can actually touch the threads gently rub them up and down. I have seen this work numerous times with surprisingly fast results. If this doesn't work then I'd go with menace on the razor.

 

[justletmein]

User a turkey baster to blow the sand away from the threads, then cut with a razor. Be very careful not to cut the foot, only the threads.

 

[NewSchool04]

just use a nice sharp sizzor. cut close to the glass and the clam should be fine.

 

[rottielover]

Quick update, I used a toothbrush to clear away the sand, and used a razor to cut the threads as close to the glass as I could.

The clam has been moved to a half shell and seems to be doing fine. Another day or two should tell the tale.

 

[chrowski]

i agreed with justletmein's method, but w/e works!