Problem with new clam or is there a problem???

[mikeroby1969]

Hey all...

I got a couple new clams mail order yesterday... Airborne left them on my steps and I have no idea how long they were out in the 20 degree weather but they seemed ok when I brought them in. I did a nice slow acclimation and everything seemed fine. The only problem I am having is the Crocea had a small rock attached to its Byssal area. I noticed the little rock and byssal threads on the substrate and what looks like the foot. My Squamosa did the same thing a few months ago but when I put it on the special piece of flat Live Rock that I have I noticed a foot. Here is a pic of the side view and you can see that there is nothing in the byssus opening. I am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best... Anyone else have this happen and will it heal itself?

Thanks,

Mike

My New Maxima 2-1/2"

My New Crocea 4"

The Byssus opening

 

[mikeroby1969]

Anyone?

 

[DaveC]

Clams

Clams

Good Morning....I am not an expert on clams so this is really another question or comment on top of yours...if you look at the first picture you posted do you see where there is some grayish color up towards the top of your clams mantle...someone told me that when picking out clams to make sure the color is consistent throughout the clam's entire mantle...and that the off colors or this gray is a sign that the clams have not been kept under the optimun lighting conditions...and that the clams color should all be the same over the entire clam...I have a clam similar to yours with the grayish color like yours and it seems very healthy, which I am sure yours are...this person also told me to place a shadow over the clam to make sure it closes up quickly...and if it does not stay away from that particular clam...so I hope your clams end up fine...they look nice and I am sure they will open up after a day or so...where did you get them from??..I was told shipping is tuff over the holidays...

Good Luck
DaveC

 

[cromax]

Hello Clammers, you should check out the post by fish-n-frags for more info on the byssal opening, which by the way is located on the ventral (bottom) portion of the clam. Your clams look fine, by the way.

As for the question on coloration, there is a lot of misinformation and speculation out there, and unscrupulous dealers are more than happy to dispense you both of these with your clams.

Coloration is a very individual thing for clams, and a lack of zooxanthellae in the center portion of the mantle in most clams is normal. To clarify, this is the portion of the mantle adjacent to the incurrent and excurrent siphons.

The picture of the maxima shows a nice blue and gold coloration through the glass. The gold coloration you see is not a loss of symbiotic algae. Different colors of zooxanthellae can live in the mantle in irregular patterns. No generalization can be made regarding color consistency and health.

A good photo reaction is always good in your clams, but after being cold for a while, it will probably be slower than normal. Over the next few days your clams' color intensity will increase back to normal. I wouldn't worry about a thing!

 

[Palmetto]

Healthy Croceas and Maximas usually are carrying small pieces of substrate with the byssal threads when removed from a tank. There is no reason to worry about this at all.

The light-colored areas on the top clam is just the coloration on that individual. It is true that you need to watch for bleached out areas, but there are naturally occuring color variances that may look similar until you have looked at many clams.

The light-colored areas that indicate problems are areas that usually look like bleach was literally spilled onto the mantle, although I have seen healthy colors look similar to this as well.

The clams appear healthy from what I can tell in the pics- good luck and congrats on your new beauties!