Strange rock from beach turns out to be a clam?

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The only concern that I would have is what is the "shellfish" regs in Florida. Here in NC you better not take a 2" oyster or clam if the regs state that 3" is the minimum. Other than that it sounds to me like he saved a mollusk from a sure death. It's not like he was out there with a garden rake digging up the beach or slingin' a throw net.
 
Triggerfish, first of all it IS a valid arguement for taking NON-Restricted species. Second, I want to make it clear that this clam IS NOT attached to any LR, it has some encrustation on it just like anything else that sits in saltwater for a while but encrusted shell of a mollusk is not the same as LR. I estimated the size but did not actually take a measurement, I will be doing that today. There is nothing naive about the statement I made concerning beachcombing here in Ft. Luaderdale. It is common and keeps our beaches clear of rotting material. This area is quite touristy and dead sea matter is often removed by tractors and dumped in the landfill. Secondly as i mentioned before, FWC and beach police SAW my bucket and did not even bother to question me. Of more concern to me would be the illegal "spearfishing" i've seen by mainly foriegners while snorkeling.
Once again i am warning you to please stick to the topic of identification, husbandry, feeding and other pertitant information. We have established the legality of this instance and failure to keep on topic in my thread will result im my lodging a complaint to RC for hijacking this educational discussion. I have already posted above a link to the FWC's laws regarding collection and strictly abide by it when i collect. If your argument is that you do not agree with ANY collecting, then go to the "Responcible Reefkeeping" or other reef ethics disscusion forum. I will not be persuaded by continued hijacking of my thread. I want to thank those of you who have agreed with my principals and hope to continue an informative disscusion with you.

Having said that i took a few pictures last night and here is a link to the pictures: http://ryan75reef.blogspot.com/ If anyone wants to try and post those directly to the thread go ahead but i havnt been able to due to file type.
Ryan
 
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When I posted before I want to make this clear. Our club member got in trouble because the FWC saw his post, not saw him at the beach collecting. It was because he posted ona public forum like reef central that he got in trouble. And I was trying to say people should get upset at the illegal stuff.


After looking at your picture though, I would venture a guess at a turkey wing clam but I'm not sure if you can tell the coloration through all of the stuff living on its shell.

I also wonder if that red stuff isn't some kind of a boring sponge or just one that is safe and happens to be living on the clam
 
I actually have several clams on my gulf aquacultured rock that look identical. Several have died, but there is one large one (same size as yours) and a smaller one still alive. I had assumed that they were some type of oyster, but because of their positioning on the rock i can't get a clear look at them. I had another on the rock that died that appeared to be a thorny oyster, but that was a shot in the dark. I'll do some searching and see what i can find out. BTW - nice tank!
 
Hmm well i got a close look at a part of the item that isnt encrusted, its impossible to get a clear picture with my camera, but underneath the shell is white. The orange material is definatly a sponge of some kind, if its boring, ill scrub it off. There are closely spaced grooves that run along the shell. Also on one part of the shell the two halves form two inward curving horn like projections. I have some oysters in my tank that hitchiked in, but i dont think that crassostrea virginica is what this is. I dont think its an oyster primarily due to its white shell, the shells thickness and the form which is hard to see under the encrustation.
Thanks for keeping on topic guys. Does anyone know of an online shell ID database for the southeast?
Ryan
 
After doing some google image searches i found a couple shells that look "similiar" enough that i will try to post the images. I am thinking now that the orange sponge and encrustations have filed down the markings but structurally it is the closest match ive found. The pictures are posted on

http://ryan75reef.blogspot.com/

take a look and tell me what you think

Ryan
 
That may be it, however it still doesn't look like the pictures available online. However, thats nature for you. I'll try to find the empty shell in my tank and see if i can get some good pics.
 
good find! I would have also picked it up! All I can snag is crappie and bass around here.

I believe the Washington Post about as much as the National Scrub rags.
good luck
 
All you people who think it's illegal to collect everything need to read the regulations. All of you who think it's unethical need to find another hobby, it makes no difference who collects it if it ends up in your tank.


Don
 
Yes i think that is an even better match! Thanks pagojoe, has anyone tried keeping one before?
Ryan
 
Yeah there are Fish and Wildlife, and DNR employees on these boards.

Weither you think something is ethical or not, sometimes it is illegal, and thats all that matters in the eye of the law.
 
OK now I find this amusing!
Jeremy Blaze--you are an Aquarium Specialist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources? Is that for real and what does the job entail? I mean no disrespect but that sounds weird in IN.
Can't you put a crappie/blue gill/bass/catfish in your FW tank if you want too? I eat mine!
I am very curious if your occupation is meant to be funny or if it is for real??
TIA and good luck with your reef!
 
I think you missed my point, Jeremy. Anyway, the clam will probably do fine in your tank Ryan, let us know how it goes.

Cheers,


Don
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10200518#post10200518 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by geoxman

Can't you put a crappie/blue gill/bass/catfish in your FW tank if you want too?
Click to expand...

only if it's within the slot limit for that particular game fish.

that cute 3" largemouth is off limits... ;)
 
Jeremy Blaze-
I invite any member of the FWC or Police to come look at what i have or go on collecting trips with me. I always have abided by the rules. As you can read from the first page, both ethical and legal issues surrounding this have been settled.
Ryan

The clam is doing well, i'm considering whether or not to remove some of the encrustations... What do you all think?
 
Most of the people on here will tell you to leave the encrustations on the shell, I think. I'd remove them :)


Don
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10200672#post10200672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RicksReefs
only if it's within the slot limit for that particular game fish.

that cute 3" largemouth is off limits... ;)
Click to expand...

Not true- most state prohibit the keeping of sport fish in aquariums except for edcational and research use. Size is no matter.
 
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