new derasa from diversden

[dragonette]

Hello all,
Im a fan of diversden and I have been looking for a nice clam for my 24gAP(150halides) tank.

Tank established since 1/07 so.. the system is about 20 mos old. It is a LPS tank, and I rarely(I know.. I know...) test the water. Daily topoff and weekly water changes have made Aquapod a happy tank Dosing a two part additive for the past 6 months, but I will most likely have to start adding kalk again since I got this. Upgrading to a solana in a few months and will upgrade the halide to 250w then.

So.. back to the clam..
Here is the pic from the site.

And here is it in my tank about 15 min since it hit the water

Its very reactive to stimulus. I moved the halide light and it closed quickly.. a hermit came to check it out... It snapped (I mean 'clack) shut. It is now opening a little more every minute it seems. I cant wait to see it fully opened!

Its 4.5 long and about 3" wide (unopened)
Just wanted to share! Comments, questions, and suggestions appreciated.
Jessica.

 

[reefnfun]

That is an awesome looking clam, Good luck.

 

[quicksilverq]

Not to rain on your parade. But that clam will out grow your tank in less thank a year. but it is nice.

 

[acrodave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13545983#post13545983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by quicksilverq
Not to rain on your parade. But that clam will out grow your tank in less thank a year. but it is nice.

+1

 

[dragonette]

Ya I know, Ive read up about them. Im going to get the solana in a few months (a little more sand room) and then when he gets bigger I will pass him on to another reefer.. I am totally aware of that

I chose this clam because the derasa is supposed to be less demanding (even though hes under 150w) and also because it was larger than 2" so I thought it would be 'safer' to get the larger one as my first clam.

I know they grow to like 18"? or so, I wanted to be extra safe with my first clam...

do you think I chose badly ? I figured by getting a larger one, and a derasa I would be safe. I mean, my tank seems to be in great order and stability.. but Im not too keen on being reckless and just killing animals out of ignorance.

He will definitely be available here, on this board to another member once he outgrows his house.

Thank you for your comments!
Jessica.

 

[johnnybravo234]

2part should be fine. Kalk wont be necessary.

 

[rrcg50]

when you are ready i have a 100 that can house that beautiful guy/girl. its funny i can keep a maima and crocea but i have lost all three of my derasa's. fine for the first few days then start to die. good luck its beautiful

 

[Phyxius]

Thats a nice looking one

Like the others have said it one of the faster growing ones so be prepared to give it room. Ours started out in a 29g frag tank as little 2" Blue lipped Derasas my kids picked out from a local guy Chad at Reefscience and they now reside in my 210g and are at least 6-8" now tip to tip and when fully open are huge.

It will give you and excuse to upgrade tanks sooner or just give it plenty of sand space now

 

[dragonette]

thanks for the info guys.
Im gonna keep a close watch on the calcium just in case.

Ive promised myself I will only keep a nano! so therefore, he will be moving into one of your tanks in a year or so

I hope he fairs well, I will post more pics as he opens more in my tank.
Jess

 

[dragonette]

some pics from early this afternoon, he really is looking very nice now. Sometimes he is stretching out more than others, but at one point today he looked just like the pic from diversden! I was psyched! He is also starting to get that blue/green iridescence on him like the pic from diversden, its very subtle, but definitely starting to show!

Heres some pics of him today

Thanks guys
Jess

 

[dragonette]

hey guys,

so today the clam isnt opened very far and he is barely extending past the shell.

Should I be concerned or is he still working on getting used to my tank? Ive had him since tuesday

Jess

 

[faulkincanyon]

I wouldnt worry about it...mine opens differently all the time and is doing well

 

[dragonette]

(cry) I hope hes alright.. Id feel terrible if I killed him within 72 hours !
We'll see how he looks tomorrow.

Thanks
Jess

 

[quicksilverq]

Please post your specs. Temp. alk calcium and what not. Its to soon for him to be closing up. I have had at least 10 derasas. If he is sick or something is wrong with the tank you want to catch it soon also list your fish.

 

[dragonette]

ok, today he looks really unhappy and there was this clear/whitish slime coming out of him last night. He wont open more than an inch and his flesh is not extended at all. He looks like a dying clam IMO

Just tested parameters and had my LFS test them also yesterday
salinity 1.024
Calcium 350
ph 8.2
alk 8
trates 5
temp 79-81

no trites, ammonia or phosphate


hes in a 24g AP 150w sunpod with new 14k bulb.
Fishes-SMALL mandarin x2 (eat prepared), SMALL maroon clown (very docile, stays in his anemone), firefish (hides in cave most of the day)

various snails/hermits/serpent stars

Reef is LPS dominated. Nothing is coming in contact with the clam.
I dose Natureef alkalinity plus and hardness plus together.

Please help!
Jess

 

[ReefEnabler]

your calcium seems very low IMO compared to the alk which looks good. I'd get calcium up to 440-480 or so, but 350 is low.

it's a gorgeous clam and I hope it can pull through, but it will require careful attention and lots of reading on your part.

have you thoroughly checked for the existence of parasites like pyramid snails???

 

[dragonette]

I know the calcium is low but the clam has only been in the tank 3 days and I think its unlikely that the clam die after 3 days in 350 calcium.

I checked the clam for parasites when I got it, and again today, no critters on him at all.

He looks worse now.. I dont know what the deal is... do you think he may have been sick before I got him? I mean, everything in my tank is thriving, theres even a LTA in there thats doing great (had him for almost 4 mos) and even my xenia are pommming. I mean, I know that doesnt mean everything is 'ok' but this tank is almost 2 years old.. WHAT GIVES!?
Jess

ps. I did a water change this morning just in case, and here are some pics I just snapped
he looks terrible

heres a fts from right now (waters a little cloudy as I just picked him up to check him for parasites again.. still nothing) you can see the tank is mature and healthy looking

 

[faulkincanyon]

Id call about the 14 live guarantee...he looke like death is coming his way

 

[dragonette]

grrrr

 

[johnnybravo234]

Dead.