Buying Clams from LFS?

[CMO]

Thoughts on buying clams from LFS in terms of disease / pests? I struggle with the idea since clams can't be dipped but the owner of one of the stores says visual inspection and scrubbing should be just fine. What do you guys think? I've bought my past clams from captive bred sources to reduce risk but am really liking some larger Maximas at my LFS...

And QT is not an option so please no watch in QT discussion which this usually turns into...

 

[Phil D.]

6 years ago I got my Maxima from PETCO!! for $20. I did the inspection/scrubbing type QT. He was 4" when I got him and today is big as my outspread hand. I have seen clams at my LFS's and they all look good. I would suppose they would give a 14 day guarantee?

 

[DSC reef]

A visual inspection of no ruffled looking mantles, reaction to shadows and most important, new shell growth. Ask if they are wild caught or cultured. If they don't know and they are 4" or bigger then most likely wild caught. Check between the scutes for pests and pyramid snail and also check the byssal opening for pyramids as well.

 

[casper320]

I got aiptasia in my last tank from a clam. I even scrubbed it before it went in the tank. I wish there was a solution to this. Scrubbing doesn't really suffice.

 

[DSC reef]

I got aiptasia in my last tank from a clam. I even scrubbed it before it went in the tank. I wish there was a solution to this. Scrubbing doesn't really suffice.

Scrubbing will suffice if you get all the aptasia between the scutes. It can be hard to see as the tiniest bit of tissue left behind will grow a new aptasia.

 

[CMO]

Thanks for the replies so far. And to clarify my concern is not as much the health of the clam but the potential for the clam to infect my other corals. I would never ever introduce a coral without dipping so I'm a bit stuck with clams. Trying to figure out if they are a known host to bad bugs worms etc that might eat my acros...