New Derasa

[NCSTANG]

This is my first clam, what are some good signs that this type of clam is happy? And what are some things to watch for?

 

[Scuba Dog]

First watch out for rice grain like snails on the clam...pyrmidal snails are a real pain in the back side..

And watch out for healthy mantle extension. if the mantel reseds into the shell for a day or two you may have a problem.

watch out for gapeing where the incurent siphon is really open wide...that is a sigh of stress.

 

[NCSTANG]

ok, what if it gapes for a minute and then closes back to normal?

 

[Scuba Dog]

Just as long as its not a long term thing...I never have kept a deresa so hopefully a Deresa owner will chime in, I know if a crocea gapes its usually no big deal, and if a maxima gapes then thats something to be concerned about...as far as a deresa I cant say for certain.

 

[NCSTANG]

ok, so how far open is gaping???my clam is like 3 1/2 inches

 

[Scuba Dog]

If you can see an inch or so open hole where you can easily see the gills then its gapeing...

 

[Scuba Dog]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=541964

in this thread is a pic of a deresa it has a slight gape not bad though...

 

[NCSTANG]

what causes gaping? sorry for all the questions it makes for quick learning and is much appreciated

 

[LanT]

I have a Derasa and it doesn't gape much compared to a Maxima. I noticed that as long as the incurrent siphon still has little "teeth" then it's okay. These teeth are really extra flesh growths that look like teeth, IME clams with a real gaping probleim don't have these teeth. It just looks like a smooth hole.

 

[NCSTANG]

i see, my deresa exhinits these teeth, so hopefully it is ok

 

[Scuba Dog]

Yeah im sure the clam is ok, since its new to your tank, it will likely take a few days for it to feel comfortable..

 

[Scuba Dog]

As what causes gaping, well hopefully Barry or one of the other guys can give a more detailed reason, all I know is it is a sign of some sort of stress...that something is amis...thats when you start to look for the cause....niping fish, parasites, bad water quality, insuficent lighting, too much flow...the list goes on...

 

[NCSTANG]

??? anymore info on causes of gaping?

 

[Barry N.]

well hopefully Barry or one of the other guys can give a more detailed reason, all I know is it is a sign of some sort of stress..

Scuba Dog is right on Gaping is normally caused by some sort of stress. It could be pH, higher salinity or even tank mates.

Tridacna crocea seem to gap more than the other Tridacnids but when a maxima or derasa gap, I get a little concerned.