where are clams supposed to have holes?

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

I know about the two holes on the top of the clam, but are there any other places for a clam to have a hole? I bought a new crocea that has a hole on the bottom side...I can see it through the mouth, and it passes right through. The clam can open and close it as well...so it seems to be in order...is it? What does it do? Also, the crocea had a really fuzzy mass of what loos to be meat attached to it's foot when I got it. It recently released this tuft and it sticks to a rock. Where the tuft once was there appears to be another hole right in the center of it's foot. What is this? Can anyone suggest a good website or book for info on this and other clam knowlege...these things seem to have many secrets I wish to know???!!!

 

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=410420

I see that this person had the hole you can see throught the inlet as well (my clam looks A-ok otherwise though). SOmeone suggested that this is normal and perhaps a place where the thread/foot went through...but...I have one hole in the middle of the foot, and this one around the side of it...what gives?

 

[Peabody]

That's fine....that's the byssal opening. I highly suggest reading Giant Clams by Daniel Knop...it's an excellent book, and should be in the library of anyone who has a clam

 

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

ar there supposed to be two of them however?

 

[Peabody]

There are two openings on the mantle, and the byssal opening on the underside (including the "slit" next to it)

 

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

I mean the two holes on the mantle...plus one in the center of the foot (this would be the byssal I believe)...and I have one below the foot that can also be seen when looking inside the mouth or intake.

 

[Peabody]

You're fine. That's all 100% normal