That clam Disease

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d4a2n0k

New member
A little while back there was a thread about some disease thats going around that can wipeout all the clams in your tank.

I lost 4 clams a few weeks back, which I thought was from Pyramid Snails but im now second guessing myself. They just seemed to go downhill too fast to be Pyramids, clams I had for a few years with no problems basically kicked it within a few days.

I had just added a clam from a very well known vendor of RC and right after that, all hell broke loose. I had purchased a new Crocea, he died within 2 weeks. Within the next week, I lost 2 other Croceas and a 9" Teardrop Maxima. I never had a hiccup with any of them before.

I still have a Derasa but I think I read that they are not affected by this disease? Well, anyway now hes not looking good and Ive had him the longest and we all know how Derasas can take a lot of abuse.

What do I have to do so I can safely add more clams in the future? My Derasa has lost a bit of color and his siphon holes are usually closed, just doesnt look like it used to. Do I treat the tank? Does the disease go away if theres no clams in the tank?

Thanks for any help.
 
I think you are talking about Pinched Mantle.

PM will effect all of the clams that we keep,so if that is what you had then the Derasa has it also.
As of today there is no known cure.there is a lot of people working on it thou,so I wouldn't get any new clams with the Derasa still in the tank.
PM is caused by a Protozoan and for now it is still unknown the exact one,so I don't know the life cycle or any other hosts that it take up in.

in the future QT everything that you put into your tank.
 
Thanks for the reply.

If it affects the Derasa, I'm wondering why it hasn't died yet, not that I'm complaining. Its just, I lost my other clams about 2 months ago and I know they are more hardy than most other clams but for him to hang on this long surprises me. I also noticed that it hasnt grown at all since the other clams died. He used to put on new growth almost daily and now nothing at all.

in the future QT everything that you put into your tank.
Click to expand...

Tell me about it. You'd think I would have learned my lesson by now. I just completed the first treatment for red bugs. Also, supplied by the same vendor....
 
does anyone have a pick of pinched mantle? i have a derasa thats not looking too hot but all the other clams look fine. a pick would help me keep an eye out for this problem in the future.
 
just tried the search function and as it always is, not working. can anyone just post a pic of what pm exactly looks like
 
xdusty6920 said:
just tried the search function and as it always is, not working. can anyone just post a pic of what pm exactly looks like
Click to expand...

ok here is a link that has pics.

if it is what you think you have at this time there isn't anything that will cure it,only hold it off.this thread is very long,and there are a few references to some meds that don't work so please don't jump to conclusions and try some of this stuff.but I do encourage you to read the whole thread to learn what you may be up against.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7262
 
mbbuna said:
fvandijk, the cause as been found to be a Protozoan,very close to bacteria
Click to expand...

Actually, Prtozoa are not close to bacteria. Bacteria are prokaryotic whereas protozoa are eukaryotic. Therefore, we are more closely related to Protozoa than bacteria are.
Not that it really matters if all your clams are dying!
 
thanks a ton for that link mbbuna. learned alot and i dont think PM is what is wrong with my clam. im not sure the proper name but the mantle on a clam makes a squiggley line. peeking and then plumeting. on the peek of one of those ripples it looks alittle irritaded. been like this a few weeks now but im suspecting the challice closebuy gave it a wack. also its a derasa and the thread said its almost always croceas and maximas.
 
xdusty6920 said:
thanks a ton for that link mbbuna. learned alot and i dont think PM is what is wrong with my clam. im not sure the proper name but the mantle on a clam makes a squiggley line. peeking and then plumeting. on the peek of one of those ripples it looks alittle irritaded. been like this a few weeks now but im suspecting the challice closebuy gave it a wack. also its a derasa and the thread said its almost always croceas and maximas.
Click to expand...

can you post a pic or e-mail it to me.Pm will effect all clams
 
What are my options with my Derasa? He lost a lot of color and just plain doesnt look healthy to me.

So basically, I cant add anymore clams until this one dies?
 
OK....and those "2 independent labs " who claims that there was "Massive protozoan infestation" could'nt say what will kill that protozoa?
obviously Flagyl/Metro wont really work.

Who gave the info on the "2 independent labs "?
 
Mbbuna,
So as you can see from the link you gave, you'll be left with more question marks after reading it.

FWD and Metro didnt work for many, sometimes it does work temp.

I dont agree with Barry about the wide spread of the disease, I have seen it in few countries already.
 
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