spiderweb like substance around base of clam

[becact]

Just wondering what this is, there seems to be a very fine almost spiderweb like substance around the base of my clam. It is white in color. The clam seems healthy, responds well to light, and is open but not gaping.

 

[Mentat]

What species of clam? Can you post a picture? What you mention could be the clam attachment byssal gland's threads.

 

[becact]

My camera wouldn't be able to capture the stuff, it is too fine. It is a maxima clam. The web extends up around the shell pretty far, a little past the mantle on one side in fact. The clam is attached to the rock he's on, is it possible he's just producing more threads and they're just kind of floating around?

 

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14633446#post14633446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by becact
My camera wouldn't be able to capture the stuff, it is too fine. It is a maxima clam. The web extends up around the shell pretty far, a little past the mantle on one side in fact. The clam is attached to the rock he's on, is it possible he's just producing more threads and they're just kind of floating around?

From your description, appears not byssal threads. A picture of growth would be very usefull to ID. Maybe someone else here has seen a similar situation and can help.

 

[a4twenty]

sounds like byssal thread to me.

 

[becact]

Well, my camera did better than I thought.

Around the base of the clam is the only place in the tank this stuff appears. Should I pull it off or just let it be?

 

[Maximus Clammus]

I can't really see it to well but I agree with twenty, looks like byssal threads, nothing to worry about.

 

[Mentat]

Thanks for picture; how strong is the current at the clam's location? Does water flow has an effect on the clams mantle?

 

[becact]

Flow is pretty low there. The mantle does not move in the current, but there is enough current to move the web we are talking about and the ric next to it a tiny bit.

 

[Mentat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14645908#post14645908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by becact
Flow is pretty low there. The mantle does not move in the current, but there is enough current to move the web we are talking about and the ric next to it a tiny bit.

Was wondering posibility of the current moving byssal threads. If so, they could attach everywhere around gland, including sides of clam's shell.