Need to move my Croceas

H

Hobster

New member
I have 2 Croceas (about 5") sitting on some base rock on the bottom of the DSB. They have moved to close to the glass and have started to attach to the rock (about 3 weeks)
How is the best way to detach them without hurting them or making them really mad:D Can I slide a sharp edge under them? Sounds better than tearing or ripping. Any ideas?
 
Why do you want to move them? If you really need to, can you just move the rock that they're on? Or break off the piece of rock that they're on? It's possilbe to cut them off, but risky. If you need to cut them off, cut as close to the rock as possible and try not to get near the byssus gland.
 
I agree. Don't cut them off unless it's absolutely necessary. Anytime you cut them away from what they've anchored themselves to you are compromising the health of the clam.

It's normal for them to move until they find a position that they like and trying to position them yourself will be a losing battle. If they are too close to the glass for your liking, is it possible to just scoot the base rock they attached to back a bit so they aren't right against the glass?
 
No, that's the problem. The base rock is to wide to move. They are so close to the glass which is now getting covered with coraline that I am unable to scrape behind them. In another week or so I will not be able to see them:(
I can try to take them out of the water attached to the rock and cut the rock outside the tank, but I figured that would be almost as bad as detaching them(exposed to the air)
 
Try sticking a powerhead or any type of moderate flow in their direct path. They should release in around 12 hours. I've had success a couple of times with this method. Much easier than cutting. (Just as an FYI you don't want the flow to blow them away, just enough to annoy them)
 
stiffljp said:
Try sticking a powerhead or any type of moderate flow in their direct path. They should release in around 12 hours. I've had success a couple of times with this method. Much easier than cutting. (Just as an FYI you don't want the flow to blow them away, just enough to annoy them)
Click to expand...

Stiffljp,

Thanks, this sounds like a great idea:) I will try this weekend.
 
stiffljp said:
Try sticking a powerhead or any type of moderate flow in their direct path. They should release in around 12 hours. I've had success a couple of times with this method. Much easier than cutting. (Just as an FYI you don't want the flow to blow them away, just enough to annoy them)
Click to expand...

Thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s good advice.
One other thing that might help is to place some small rock right in close to them. I find they like to move to another piece of rock instead of just letting go and having nothing to hold onto.

Then you can place that small rock anywhere in the tank with the clam attached. That way whenever need to move your clam again it will be much easier.

Good luck

Cam
 
Thanks Bayliner, another good idea.

Do you think if I put a piece of cardboard over the corner of the tank to cast a shadow on them, that might make them move also? :idea:
 
I also use Bayliner's idea but I use a small piece of ceramic tile. I either break one of the 4" by 4" tiles to small pieces or use a 1" by 1". I always had trouble finding a piece of rubble rock that was nice and flat. Either way, definitely a good option.

Also with regard to the shading, I've never tried but, it might be an option. I'm just not sure how long it would take for them to get annoyed with light.

Good luck
 
IME, they prefer the rough side. For what ever reason it always seems to help if I bury it in the substrate by 1/8 or 1/4 inch, rather than just putting them directly on top of it.
 
You can lift the Crocea out of the water without worry. Based on Knop's Giant Clam book, they are often left above water during tides in the wild. He even goes to say that 20 minutes out of water was okay. I wouldn't do 20 minutes though, just enough time for you to chisel the piece of base rock that he is on.
 
I checked with Dr Ron and he states:

Hi,

I would use a razor blade to cut the byssal threads and simply move it. The threads are non-living and not part of the body, cutting them won't harm the animal in the slightest.


__________________
Cheers, Ron

I will give it a try as they are not firmly attached yet:eek2:
 
Well I slipped by scraper blade underneath them and detached them from the rock, They were just barely attached. I pulled out the rock and put them on some pieces of ceramic tile cut to just the right size. No harm no foul. They are happy as, well clams, at high tide:D
 
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