Ultra maxima Closing Up

MJC

New member
A few months ago, I purchased a beautiful six-inch aqua-blue ultra maxima and last night, it started to retract and close up. Today I noted it looks to be receeding (sp?) into its shell. There is an approximately 1/4" opening and I can see, what I'd describe as, its white tissue / muscle pressing the mantle.

There was one day last week when I noted its exhalent siphon appeared to be swollen and its inhalent siphon opened, as if it were stressed, but later that evening, it returned to normal.

I did not not make any changes to my system - no new livestock or corals introduced, no changes to lighting or placement of rocks and clam. Feeding consists of a capful of DTs every two days. Other inhabitants appear normal.

HOWEVER, my perculas have been nibbling and pulling on both their bubble tip anemones (each 3" open), and over the past few days, one moved itself from one rock to another. The placement of the clam is approximately 5" from the BTA and the rocks are stacked next to each other. Is it possible the BTA stung the clam during its move? Any cure or remedy or will I have an expensive shell / decoration in a few days? :sad1:

Are there any concenrs I should be aware of assuming it goes during the night? Should I take it out now?

Thanks,

Marty
 
Marty,

If it got stung, there isn't a whole lot you can do that I can think of at this time. Just move it away from everything and watch it closely. Do you have another tank you can put him in?

Barry
 
Hi Barry,

Thanks for letting me know. I think at this point, there's not a whole lot I can do for it.

I found my bi-color blenny perched in the clams shell this morning, happily nipping away at the mantle. <sigh>

Marty
 
sorry to hear fro your loss. bi-color blennies are notorious for nipping mantles, preventing the clams from opening. i don't know if this contributed to your situation, but i would never again keep a blenny in the same tank with clams (i have had 2 blennies - 1 bi-color, and another algae blenny - that were clam nippers and won't do it again).
 
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