Sick Clam...Pinched Mantle?

[downhillbiker]

Does my clam have Pinched Mantle? I have been watching it over the last few days, and it hasn't been getting any worse so I am wondering if it might pull through without treatment. Do they ever fight it off without treatment. I have read that a 30 minute freshwater dip is pretty successful, has anyone tried this?

Nitrates: 0
Ammonia: 0
Calcium: 480-500
dKH: 12-13
pH: 8.3
temp: 80
SG: 1.026

 

[unbreakable]

Looks like its declining in health. Hope it's just irritated. ALK seems to be on the high side, not really bad, but i would keep it within 7-10 DKH

Anything attached on the sides where the mantle? maybe something stinging it or maybe you have fish that are constantly nipping the mantle?

Before doing a FW dip, make sure the clam can close completely shut. I had one that couldnt and it just killed it. Other times i tried the FW dip and it worked for a while, but later died (probably pyram snails.)

It can be successful, but it's really stressful (from what i've read).

Does that part of the mantle extend back out later in the day? Check the foot at night to see if there's anything eating away at it, usually check about 1-2 hrs after lights out

 

[mscarpena]

It looks like the top of the intanke siphon might have been damaged. What type of fish and inverts do you have??

 

[downhillbiker]

the pic that makes it look like the siphon is damaged is misleading. it is actually whole.

inverts: several snails, conch, starfish, ect. regular clean up crew.

 

[a4twenty]

please list your fish too.

are you running a GFO??

how close is it to that coral??

have you checked for pyramid snails?

 

[downhillbiker]

Fish:

Tomini Tang
Regal Tang
Flame Angel
Occ Clown Pair
Bangaii Cardinal Pair
Lawnmower Blenny
Mandarin Dragonette
Few Green Chromis

No GFO

Pretty Close to acan in pic, moved it today.

Had some pyramid snails on it when I first got it. Brushed them off and got 6 line wrasse. Haven't seen them since, that was a month ago, or more.

 

[a4twenty]

keep an eye on the flame angel ( known nipper ), LMB and tangs they can cause problems for a clam. double check for pyramids again, an egg sack could have come in with the cam and they may be repopulating. it is best to do so a couple of hours after light out as they are nocturnal. the six line is diurnal so they can't decimate a pyramid infestation, maybe pick off the odd straggler but that's it.

are you running any carbon??? if not you should try some.

can you post a new pic today, from above.

 

[mclaman]

That Blue Linkia looks like he is attacking the clam.

 

[GreatReefs]

What ever happened to a cure for pinched mantle anyways? That kind of looks like it be that but it's hard to tell. Clams can be so finicky.

 

[downhillbiker]

Update: clam has not improved or decreased in health. i did not do a dip as of yet. the flame angel and lawnmower are not nippers, as of yet. i watch them very closely and they have proven to be model citizens. clam looks identical, so no updated pic. i check for pyramid snails every night after lights go out for a couple hours. i do run carbon, changing every 3 weeks.

blue linkia was moving around, and was on/near the clam at the time of pic, but no where near now, and was nowhere near when signs of stress first occurred.

i dont think there ever was a cure for pinched mantle, just a fresh water dip. i am just keeping an eye on it, and if it gets worse i will do dip, but otherwise let it get better on its own.