surgery on crocea

[Charlie Davidson]

With the recent addition of a clown tang in my reef tank, came alot of new troubles, one of which is he is unsure what is good to eat. so he takes little samples of everthing and spits it out if its no good! my problem is- He took a 1/4 inch piece of one of the leathers and spit it into my croceas mouth!!! it seems to be slowing staring to death ( one week) and I have been thinking about slowing forcing the clam open and removing the blockage! Anyone do this? any help? Peobody,Barry, Julio, HWYNBOY, anyone, please help! Thanks, in advance. Charlie.

 

[Barry N.]

Charlie,

If the piece is not too large then he should be able to expel it. HOPEFULLY! Not sure I would force it open as you might disconnect the muscles from the shell, (appiture) from the shell.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Barry, I am glad you replied, thank you Sir. the clam does not seem to be reacting, I figgured it would try to spit it out but no reaction in that way, only a slow retraction. I installed another light over it, trying to help, it seems to open more, but blockage is stiill there and I will give it another week or so- then I guess------------If I am going to lose it anyway! do the best I can do! an try to remove it.

 

[cmulawka]

what about a fresh water dip i was reading on here that one person did it and there clam spit out all kinds of green stuff.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I guess that was me, I had one crocea that "spit out" alot of green ( i believe to be kents phyto and may never use it again) this is alot different. I am hopeful for other answers! I do believe fw dip helps crocea when they are stressed and pinching!

 

[Barry N.]

what about a fresh water dip i was reading on here that one person did it and there clam spit out all kinds of green stuff.

PLEASE do not misunderstand me but a FWD is not a cure all. This should always be done with caution and the last result.

 

[Vili_Shark]

Hi,
Do you see any signs of stress?

 

[OrionN]

A 1/4 inches piece of tissue is not the cause of your clam not do well. A heathy clam will easily spit it out. Your clam cannot self remove that piece because he is not doing well. Trying to 'do surgery' on hime will only worsen the problem. FWD will not help either IMO. I don't know what to do other then trying to provide the best condition for your clam and hope for the best.
Minh

 

[Charlie Davidson]

About 6 months ago, I had the same clam near the hole that 2 watchman live in. They are always picking up snails and moving them away from their nest. one of them dropped into the clams mouth while I was watching (shock and horror). it was spit back out with no problem. I will keep you all updated. If I knew how to post pics, I would.

 

[ADS]

There is a technique to perform surgery or biopsy on clams. Depending on the size of the clam take a 1"+ piece of stock(untreated) wood and position it over the shell, startle the clam and place the wood spacer between the shell halves. This will keep it open. The mantle will retract down to the pyramidal line inside the shell. The incurrent siphon will remain open. You can now introduce a fine forcep(tweezer) into the incurrent siphon to extract the foreign body.
I have done this for mantle biopsies on clams with no ill effect. It is done by clam farms for mantle specimens to seed larval clams.
If you are not sure or uncomfortable with this technique-don't try it.
Adam

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I have not done anything, the extra light has not been used for over a week, (vacation time- working on my boat). Anyway-the clam is slowly getting better, looks like the piece of leather is still there but alittle bit smaller. I guess this time I will wait it out. Thanks for all the repies and Adam, great cultures!

 

[ADS]

Good to hear CharlieD-
Too bad you're not closer-sounds like a nice challenge!
Look for signs of decay of the tissue(mucoid film or discoloration) if this occurs it may be worth expediting the removal of the foreign body.
Adam

 

[bump321]

Just a thought - can you get a deep clear glass dish, sit a strong light under it, then hold the clam upside down in the water so when it opens the piece will fall out. You might even put a bit of DT,s in the water for it.
Bump

 

[Bayliner]

Just a thought - can you get a deep clear glass dish, sit a strong light under it, then hold the clam upside down in the water so when it opens the piece will fall out. You might even put a bit of DT,s in the water for it.
Bump

That definitely sounds like it is worth a try.

Cam

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Clam will not open while I and holding it. I tried turning it over and moving it around also left it upside down for a while. Clam no better or no worst . Although "mouth" is not opening as wide. Good or bad, I don't know!

 

[bump321]

Hi charlie, sorry it didnt work for you,but it was worth a shot. Maybe you can try it in the tank,set it on top of a short glass or in a crevice if its mounted. Best of luck.
Bump

 

[Reefcherie]

A 1/4 inches piece of tissue is not the cause of your clam not do well. A heathy clam will easily spit it out. Your clam cannot self remove that piece because he is not doing well. Trying to 'do surgery' on hime will only worsen the problem. FWD will not help either IMO. I don't know what to do other then trying to provide the best condition for your clam and hope for the best.
Minh

I'm with Minh on this one. If your clam is slowly doing better, that's great - be patient. If not, I would watch closely and make sure your new Clown Tang isn't taking swipes at the clam when you aren't looking - that will stress the clam and it will not open fully.

Cheri

 

[Charlie Davidson]

While a am willing to wait it out- the piece of leather is not dissappearing- I may have to remove it. Trying want Adam suggested. ____________Hey, reefcherie, Frogfish? Anglerfish? We( my buddy) caught a fish - extrawide mouth, antennae on head with glowing light on end, colored white- same shape as what you show, in a VA. creek last year. It had ALOT OF TEETH, most people wanted to kill it. I made sure it was back in the water before that happened! Looked like a stargazer to me. Same as Frogfish?

 

[Reefcherie]

While a am willing to wait it out- the piece of leather is not dissappearing- I may have to remove it. Trying want Adam suggested. ____________Hey, reefcherie, Frogfish? Anglerfish? We( my buddy) caught a fish - extrawide mouth, antennae on head with glowing light on end, colored white- same shape as what you show, in a VA. creek last year. It had ALOT OF TEETH, most people wanted to kill it. I made sure it was back in the water before that happened! Looked like a stargazer to me. Same as Frogfish?

We are going off topic here - but the quick answer is yes - that is an angler or frogfish (same thing) as my avatar. What you are describing sounds like one of the varieties of deep sea anglers - check out http://www.starfish.ch/frogfish/Deepsea-Anglerfish.html for more info. I don't know of a fresh or brackish water angler that meets that description... perhaps there is such a thing.

Cheri

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I am--most of the time --off- topic, and l really like the quick answer (yes) thanks! ----- I believe my clam will make it one way or another! any suggestions are greatly appreciated!