worm on my crocea?? Help!

[purplexfiles]

Have another post regarding my newish crocea that hasn't been looking good. Thought it might be the MH ballast that went out at about the same time. I couldn't find anything such as snails in or around. Tonight, after replacing the ballast, I checked the clam again and found a blackish purple worm?? on the underneath side near the spot where he was attached to a small rock I had placed in the sandbed.
When I lifted the clam out of the water, the rock fell off and I noticed this skinny, slug-like thing. Tried to get it off, but was worried it was a part of the clam.
I have only had this clam for a month. I have researched a lot before purchasing, but I don't know what to do.Using DT's in the tank, haven't noticed anything bothering it otherwise.
Should I try to remove that thing??

 

[mbbuna]

can you post a pic of the worm? i would remove it anyway

 

[The steven liu]

If anything is irritating your clam, don't take a chance. Since sometimes clams don't show any sympton of distress until days or even hours before death, it is critical to do something if your clam is showing the slightest irritation from whatever is causing it.

 

[purplexfiles]

The "worm" is a feather duster. I will remove it and see how things go.