Odd Clam Event

[Unarce]

Here's a shot of my maxima before all this happened:

Around the 3rd week of December, the mantle retracted and exhibited an unusual cupping appearance:

Tank conditions and parameters have remained the same, with the exception of SG, which jumped from 1.026 to 1.028 due to too infrequent calibration of equipment.

I have added a couple small maximas in the previous weeks, so I suspected a possible PM infection or rice snails. I found no snails. The cupping was not reminiscent of PM however, so I simply took a wait and see approach.

 

[Unarce]

On Christmas Day, my gift from Santa was a normal mantle extension. Great spread, and no cupping.

Here's how it looks today:

The inhalant siphon is a bit wider than I'm comfortable with, but I'm not complaining.

 

[Unarce]

Now, what baffled me is that I only discovered that the SG was too high after the clam's mantle extension returned to normal. So, I still didn't really know what went wrong.

During the one week time that the clam was ailing, I fed the tank once every other day, a tablespoon of Phyto-Feast, thinking it might help the clam.

On the 30th, I did some minor rearranging of the clam bed, and discoved this directly underneath the maxima (different angle shots):

The piece of flesh is about 1.25" long and .75" wide. It had the texture and feel of a cooked shrimp.

Could this be the byssal gland? I've heard of instances where Tridacnas release theirs, but only with the larger species.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

That looks like a peanut worm. Harmless, but possibly irritating. On second thought, that looks like a finger- count yours- are you missing any? I doubt it is the byssus. It would surely be covered in shed byssal threads.

I really think people over analyze the inhalent siphon as a determinant of health. I have seen clams where it is not open at all, and I have seen the same clam where I could put my hand into it, it was so wide. Healthy, both ways. Mantle extension, reaction, and shell adduction are the true diagnostic conditions to watch, in my book.

By the way, awesome clam.

 

[sean1]

Nice clam!

 

[ezcompany]

tell us how the clam looks after the removal of that...thing...

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8896252#post8896252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Unarce

i dont think it a peanut worm. you can see the veins in this photo.

it looks like the bottom of the byssal organ(foot). i would be worried that something chewed it off

 

[Unarce]

It's been several days since I found that thing. It was just wedged between the rocks underneath the clam. Byssus area is still plump, and I don't see any evidence of damage or trauma.

I'm still stumped. I mirrored this thread at ClamsDirect, and SueT doesn't think it's a byssal gland, either. Hopefully, Barry or James can chime in.

Soon as I adjust some equipment in the tank, I'll try and get another topdown shot.

 

[ezcompany]

i would try cutting it in the middle to see a cross section for better identification by others.

 

[Unarce]

I threw it away that same day

 

[mbbuna]

the byssal gland and foot are connected but not the same

 

[Unarce]

You think it's the foot, Chris?

 

[mbbuna]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8899435#post8899435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Unarce
You think it's the foot, Chris?

it sure looks like it. ive seen my clams protrude there foot out of the byssal opening pretty far at times and that exactly what it looks like.

 

[ezcompany]

maybe the foot was inflamed or infected and it was bothering your maxima, and it finally decided to eject it and grow a new one. thats a hopeful scenario!

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I doubt thats the foot, if that clam looks as good as it does right now. my money is still on peanut worm. worms are so darned varied, but the circular, flat, blunt end is rather a giveaway for me.

 

[Unarce]

I still don't know exactly what it was. Do peanut worms get that thick?

Sorry, I haven't taken a newer topdown pic, but the extension's now the same as it was before this all happened. The inhalant siphon is also closing more with each day that goes by

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Yeah, they get big. I once saw one about as thick around as a finger. man, it grossed me out. Bear in mind, Im just speculating, that that is what it is. I just cant imagine that this clam would lose its muscular foot, and look as good as posted. Let me see if I can find some referneces to peanut worms for you.

 

[cpllongjk]

SAME THING

SAME THING

I just had the same thing happen to me, bought a new crocea from the lfs. Got it home, acclimated it right. Its fine, looks healthy, has good extension, good awareness of shadows.

then today the same thing you found popped out of the sand like it was coming from under the clam. But mine had byssl threads on it!

i wondered if the lady at the lfs tugged to hard on it... so i gave my clam a little, gentle tug, by god it was attached to the glass already.

about 5minutes later, the thing detaches itself and is floating around the tank.

Weird!

 

[Ventralis321]

Hey Unarce, that occurance has happened to a couple of my clams before. I'm not sure if it's the byssal threads or not but what i found out was that the clam wasn't getting enough light and was stressed. Not sure if thats the case but mine never really recovered when that happened. I do however have a clam that dropped its byssal threads and was curling up and i know for a fact that it was the light or actually not getting enough. It recovered in a couple of months. I hope yours recovers well. Very nice clam. Is that the one from Rommel? Rainbow teardrop or something?

 

[Unarce]

Ventralis - yes, that's the one.

Finally took an new topdown pic today: