Thought I would share some pics

[npaden]

Thought I would share some pics of my clams. I'm finally getting stocked back up after losing all my clams about 2 years ago to the pinched mantle disease before it was really understood.

Here's the pics:

I am in the process of setting up a 1,225 gallon refugium for when the gigas outgrow my 415. I'll probably move them to it long before they outgrow it.

Nathan

 

[bump321]

WOW !!!

In pic.1 what is the one in the L.corner & in the last pic. what is the one on the right.

Bump

 

[Aged Salt]

Nathan, could you comment on "pinched mantle disase" thnx. Bob

 

[npaden]

bump321,

The clam on the left side of pic 1 is a Derasa, it has a differnt pattern than most derasas but it really isn't that unusual. The one on the right side of the last pic is a Maxima, it is also not that hard to find one with similar patterns and coloration.

Aged Salt,

I'm not sure what causes the pinched mantle disease, more than likely a bacteria of some kind it seems. Minh from Corpus Christi was the one that figured out the cure which is a fresh water dip for the affected clams. Symptoms as you might expect are a pinched or folded mantle and the clam doesn't extend the mantle out all the way. This goes on for a couple weeks before they die so it is actually one of the rare clam diseases that you can catch and treat before you lose the clam. I'm sure there are threads out there explaining the proper treatment and symptoms. I lost about a dozen clams over a month long period a couple years ago to this disease after introducing a wild collected clam that evidently had the bacteria and the conditions in my tank must have been good for it. Several of the clams that I lost I had had for several years.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[Aged Salt]

Nathan, thnx. for the interesting post. I did try the search for this under "Tridacna....." but with my limited computer skills ....found nothing. How long does one submerge the Clam in the fresh-water? thnx. again, Bob

 

[WaterDogs]

Nathan, thnx. for the interesting post. I did try the search for this under "Tridacna....." but with my limited computer skills ....found nothing. How long does one submerge the Clam in the fresh-water? thnx. again, Bob

Go to www.clamsdirect.com and do search for Pinching. The site has all the info you will ever need for taking care of clams.

 

[cwbroden]

Nice clams and a great looking tank.

 

[Julio]

nice clams, thanks for sharing.

 

[Azurel]

Really nice clams.....and tank......npaden

 

[bhujang]

Firstly great pics I love clams and yours have amazing patterns and colors...

Secondly regarding pinch... My deresa clam had real bad pinch I was so worried, didnt dare to FW dip, 1 month on the pinch is receeding and the clam nearly opens up fully. The zoox algae near the pinch is all gone and the flesh is left bare, but this over the last 2 weeks has started to come back as well. All being well I decided to add another deresa with different patterning on it, 2 weeks on its its showing signs of light pinch!!! I cant believe it its distressing me as much as the clam. I have had a maxima up on the rocks for 6 months no pinch at all. Both deresas are on the sand bed, there is strong MH lights and they are fed with phyto... I wish I could be sure it was caused by bacteria before I even contemplate a FW dip as I have heard of many people loosing clams to this technique...

 

[Julio]

do you have a full tank shot?

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I believe it is the disease that kills the clam, the fact that some die after treatment is due to the stress the "cure". They would have died anyway mybe alittle later but after much pain caused on its owner!!! Great looking Clams!!!!!! make me want to go home and look at my tank.

 

[bhujang]

I dont believe it to be a disease though, if anything its a parasite or stress due to water conditions. If iot was a disease my other clams that dont have it would also get it... Many others experience the same thing... There other clams do not get contaminated... maybe maybe not on the death issue, mine has got through a nasty bite on the mantle my either a large maroon clown or more likely a very large bristle worm, and a severe case of pinch that wipped out a huge area of its macro alge, the alge on the tissue is now growing back and the mantle repaired itself long ago,,,, TLC is a good medicine, Im a strong believer of positive thought and transmitting such to that which I want to heal... think what you will on that idea...

 

[npaden]

From my understanding Derasa clams are less affected by the pinching than some of the other clams. I would probably agree it isn't a true "disease" but probably is a parasite or bacteria of some kind that is killed by the freshwater dips.

The pinched mantle disease is something that should be considered if your clams are showing the signs. I'm not saying everytime a clam looks a little off it should be removed and dunked in freshwater or anything.

Here is a full tank shot although I can't take full tank shots worth anything:

For anyone interested here is a link to my latest pics: http://padens.com/tank_pics_6-26-04/

FWIW, Nathan

 

[bhujang]

WOW! That is stunning............................ drool drool

I feel that maybe some of these critters found in the ro water are not parasites so much as maybe just live on the shell and hence are washed up, I still feel the problem could be caused by water conditions such as PH drops and KH drops... But there is also probabely a chance that the crittors although are harmless in themsleves may cause slight irritation if they get under the mantel and figet so to speak...

Hey what is that whopping big clam is it a gigantias ? The one in Clams2.jpg pic???

Cheers Nathan

Bhu.