new deresa

[DJPB]

This is my first clam. It is under 2 250w 10k MH and 440w actinic VHO in a 120g AGA. I notice that it leans a lot. Should I move it to the rocks, try to stand it upright on the sand, or just let it be. Other than that it seems very healthy. What do you think?

 

[dragon_slayer]

looks fine to me. my deresas never lean but one of my maximas does and i cant get him to stop. you can try putting a flat rock under the sand just below the clam and let him attach to it and this usualy will fix the leanning, but not always.

hth
kc

 

[Fish-o-holic]

My derasa leaned for quite some time when I first got it. One day I decided to put a rock underneath thinking it may attach. Sure enough, 3 days later it did. I noticed after that, no more leaning.

My theory is that the clam is uncomfortable and trying to "settle" into a pocket of the sandbed.

 

[Rock Anemone]

Agreed. Try placing a shell underneath it for it to attach. BTW, beautiful clam and picture.:thumbsup:

Rock Anemone

 

[Sicklid]

From what I understand, Derasas do not have a foot to attach with after reaching maturity. I just put a clear plastic lid under mine to prevent predatory snails or bristleworms from preying on it from underneath. My 2 Derasas are both over 8 inches each, so they are so heavy that they don't lean at all.

"In nature, juvenile T. derasa normally live in shallow waters attached to coral rubble. They reach sexual maturity at a shell length of more than 30 centimeters (12 inches), at which time they detach their byssal attachment. Once the byssus is detached, the water current moves them to deeper waters, where they settle on the sand and are held in place by their weight."

Here is the link:

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/nov/shell/

 

[dragon_slayer]

Sicklid, as the artical says that is not untile they get aprox 12"


as you can see from the pic this clam is not even close to that. it has several years to go before it looses it's byssal threads and depends only on weight to hold it in place on the bottom.

kc

 

[Sicklid]

Neither of my 2 Derasas have a foot, and they are only 8 inches. I would place it up in the rocks or in some coral rubble as the article says so it can attach to something.

DJPB: is it still gaping as in the picture?

 

[DJPB]

Sicklid,
Yes still gaping but not as much as yesterday when I took the photo. It did not show any signs of gaping until I moved it into the 120g 3 days ago. I'm hoping that it is due to stress from moving into a new tank, and that it will get back to normal asap.

 

[dragon_slayer]

sicklid if your clams dont have the byssal it's most likely been damaged in the past. (usualy from collectors who could care less about harming the clam) at that size they will still have them under most circumstances.


kc

 

[Fish-o-holic]

I do agree the gaping on the pic above is quite bit. As long as the hole has closed down some, I think you have a winner. Derasas are generally pretty hardy given they are treated right. Also one of the quicker growing clams. :thumbsup: