Strange thing attached to clam

[wastememphis]

Hello,

I have posted this in my local reef club fourm, but I know that this group would know more about it.

Clam (pics/video)

Tonight when looking at my tank with attnic lighting, i noticed this thing comming out of the back of the clam where the foot is. I don't know what it is, but it is attached by a small thread and I'd like to know if my clam is alright!! There is a video and pictures on the other thread. Please let me know if you have an idea of what it is. It is fuzzy, and about 1" long... I've never seen this before the clam has been in my tank for a little over a year.

 

[a4twenty]

i couldn't find the video and the pictures are quite blurry. what makes you think it isn't the byssal thread? if he has decided to move he may have dropped his byssal thread.

was he attached to the glass? and is he on the move?

maybe you could post some better pics today when the lights come back on.

 

[wastememphis]

Double Post.

 

[wastememphis]

It's under the extended mantel of the clam, so I wont be able to get a picture when the lights are on without moving the clam. In the thread I mentioned that the video is large and I'll have to upload it on monday, when I'm using a faster connection at school.

I do not know what the byssal thread looks like, have any pictures?

He has been in the same spot for 3 months or so, I don't think hes moving... sometimes its turned a different direction but it doesn't move anywhere.

 

[wastememphis]

I finally got a good picture that I can fit on the site... the thing unattached from the clam. Let me know if you can ID it!!!

 

[jwalters103]

that looks like the foot or the byssal attachment

 

[a4twenty]

agree, looks like byssal thread

 

[Ian]

def. the byssal thread...

 

[todd rose]

byssal thread

 

[wastememphis]

My croeca clam just released his thread too... but now it looks stressed out! It went into its shell and I haven't seen it peaking out in over two days. I can't really see what it looks like but the intake siphon looks to be torn or streched out. My other clam is doing great since it lost the threads and so are my SPS corals... so I dont think its a water quality situation, any advice?

 

[chelskisw6]

i just noticed this under my clam as well... what does it mean if it is exposed? ive never noticed it before... mine has not become loose, its still attached to the clam...

 

[wastememphis]

I'm not sure, both of my clams lost theirs within the month... one died and the other one is doing great and is open wider than ever... with a really tightly closed siphon. I have no idea why one died.