ok to expose clam to air?

[Sk8r]

My clam is happily bound to a basket-shaped rock which needs cleaning...can I safely lift him into the air for a few minutes to get the growths off his rock? Q 2: how many is 'a few' safely?

 

[Aimforever]

When I was moving my livestock into my new tank a few months ago I had my last few corals and a small 2 inch maxima in a 5 gallon bucket that was tipped over during loading. I had no extra saltwater on hand (it was literally my last trip) so I quickly made the 20 minute trip to my new apartment and placed the clam and corals in the tank as fast as I could. I was quite worried, but to my surprise the clam was open and happy within a few minutes of being placed in the tank and has been fine ever since.

So I guess I'm not sure what clam experts would consider safe (shorter is obviously better) but my clam made it for over 20 minutes without water and seemed unfazed. HTH.

 

[Sk8r]

sounds good. I'll be only about 5 minutes or less.

 

[johnnybravo234]

Some are exposed to air for hours at low tide.. but to keep ont he safe side the rule of thumb is the shorter the better. You may need to rock it a couple times to make sure all of the air is released from inside.

 

[ludiNano]

It might squirt at you though so dont drop him or anything if he does.

 

[Freed]

:thumbsup:

 

[a4twenty]

and watch for unusual behaviour after, exposure to air can sometimes bring on a spawning event. ( survival instinct )

 

[acrodave]

In one of the calm book. at one of the breeders places they take them out of the water for hours to bring up the temp to get them ready for a spwan..kinda like what a4twenty was saying

 

[jubjub]

ahhh i wouldnt worry about it for a few mins.....i've done it i had a slue of feather dusters on my clam...... i also saw a pic a while ago about 5000+ clams on the beach during low tide exposed

 

[TWallace]

I was just in Malaysia recently and saw several croceas exposed to air at low tide for at least an hour. I wouldn't worry about it. Also saw lots of acropora and even a few anemones partially exposed.