Hello. I am new to clams. I have been in the reef keeping hobby for over 10 years and believe it or not, I have never tried clams until now...
I began a new system setup back in late November with a 210 gal 10k MH (250watt) and VHOs. Everything looks great in the tank, although I am experiencing the usual stress of getting a new tank populated with the right balance of animals that all get along and don't wear out each other's food source. No biggy...
Here's my issue. I have two clams, one a Derasa, about a 5-6 inch shell, beautiful, doing great. It is sitting with its mantle pointing toward the light in the tank (straight up). I also have a 3-4 inch blue mantled clam I *think* a crocea. (Go easy, remember I am new to clams.) Anyway, I have placed it where *I* want it in the tank with it's shell embedded quite deep in the substrate and it sits there nicely about 5 minutes, and then opens and closes until it has worked itself free from the substrate again. This wouldn't bother me, but once it is free of the substrate it falls to its side. I have manually 'placed' it twice, and have stopped for fear of stressing it out. I appears to have attached to a VERY small rock (about 5% the size of the clam) attached to the 'foot', and it will pull it to the surface through the substrate, but not stand up on it's own. Here's my question. Will the clam die if it is on it's side? It's 'intake' and 'exit' look normal, it's mantle is out (although it is VERY close and perhaps touching the derasa - is this bad?), and it stays open, it is just on its side. How should I respond to this clam? By the way, it has been in this state for about 1 month and I see no scavenger-types coming to it like a buffet.
Do I just need to lean this guy against a large rock or something? I would appreciate your response, I know I have a lot to learn about clams. I will spend some time as I can reading up on clams to better know what to look for, and learn from other's successes and mistakes.
If you need more info, or pictures, just ask. Thanks.
Ben
Cc From: clamsdirect.com Forum - I waiting 24 hours for a response in the 'emergency' forum, so know I am posting here and hoping someone can help.
I began a new system setup back in late November with a 210 gal 10k MH (250watt) and VHOs. Everything looks great in the tank, although I am experiencing the usual stress of getting a new tank populated with the right balance of animals that all get along and don't wear out each other's food source. No biggy...
Here's my issue. I have two clams, one a Derasa, about a 5-6 inch shell, beautiful, doing great. It is sitting with its mantle pointing toward the light in the tank (straight up). I also have a 3-4 inch blue mantled clam I *think* a crocea. (Go easy, remember I am new to clams.) Anyway, I have placed it where *I* want it in the tank with it's shell embedded quite deep in the substrate and it sits there nicely about 5 minutes, and then opens and closes until it has worked itself free from the substrate again. This wouldn't bother me, but once it is free of the substrate it falls to its side. I have manually 'placed' it twice, and have stopped for fear of stressing it out. I appears to have attached to a VERY small rock (about 5% the size of the clam) attached to the 'foot', and it will pull it to the surface through the substrate, but not stand up on it's own. Here's my question. Will the clam die if it is on it's side? It's 'intake' and 'exit' look normal, it's mantle is out (although it is VERY close and perhaps touching the derasa - is this bad?), and it stays open, it is just on its side. How should I respond to this clam? By the way, it has been in this state for about 1 month and I see no scavenger-types coming to it like a buffet.
Do I just need to lean this guy against a large rock or something? I would appreciate your response, I know I have a lot to learn about clams. I will spend some time as I can reading up on clams to better know what to look for, and learn from other's successes and mistakes.
If you need more info, or pictures, just ask. Thanks.
Ben
Cc From: clamsdirect.com Forum - I waiting 24 hours for a response in the 'emergency' forum, so know I am posting here and hoping someone can help.
