Clam mantle receeding

[Roy 9121]

Thanks for the info guys. The store i bought it from had it adverttised as a maxima. Should i remove the clam from my tank?

How big is it?

 

[sstwelder]

How big is it?

It's about 5 inches in lenght.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Higher Thinking, I agree with you. Lack of feeding was not the cause of this trouble. But this clam is not gaping. It is retracting it's mantle.
By the way I can tell you know your clams. Not many know that the tear drop is not a Maxima. Back when I started everyone thought that they were the same.

Also agree with Macdaddynick1, Do you think it's to late to do a FW dip ?

It's a Noae species, with a clam like that, there's nothing to lose . There is absolutely no way that it will recover on its own. Might as well at least try and kill it in the process than not try at all.

 

[sstwelder]

It's a Noae species, with a clam like that, there's nothing to lose . There is absolutely no way that it will recover on its own. Might as well at least try and kill it in the process than not try at all.

How much baking soda do you usually mix in and is it ok if i take it out of the water to not contaminate my tank when i put it back in?

 

[Roy 9121]

It's about 5 inches in lenght.

Yeah, if its that big feeding it is probably not the problem.

 

[CamG]

Yes taking it out of the tank for the dip is ok. At this point it probalby wont take in any air. Probably doesn't have the energy. Just burp it a little when you put it back in. (rotate it around and upside down in the tank to get any air bubbles out)
When did people start using baking soda in the FW dip ? I have kept many clams but that was 10 years ago...... allot has changed in the hobby since then

 

[Higher Thinking]

Higher Thinking, I agree with you. Lack of feeding was not the cause of this trouble. But this clam is not gaping. It is retracting it's mantle.
By the way I can tell you know your clams. Not many know that the tear drop is not a Maxima. Back when I started everyone thought that they were the same.

Also agree with Macdaddynick1, Do you think it's to late to do a FW dip ?

I'm curious how you define gaping. As you mentioned earlier, clams that are irritated will retract their shell. If it was retracting it's mantle AND it's shell, I'd be inclined to not say gaping. However, it's retracting it's mantle and keeping it's shell open, therefore I'm thinking gaping.

 

[sstwelder]

Yes taking it out of the tank for the dip is ok. Just burp it a little when you put it back in. (rotate it around and upside down in the tank to get any air bubbles out)
When did people start using baking soda in the FW dip ? I have kept many clams but that was 10 years ago...... allot has changed in the hobby since then

So just straight water? Someone mentioned baking soda to buff the ph to match the tank's ph.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Yes taking it out of the tank for the dip is ok. At this point it probalby wont take in any air. Just burp it a little when you put it back in. (rotate it around and upside down in the tank to get any air bubbles out)
When did people start using baking soda in the FW dip ? I have kept many clams but that was 10 years ago...... allot has changed in the hobby since then

I use baked baking soda to buffer the ph, and you need only a pinch, as long as the ph of the tank and the ph of the di water are similar. You can probably use a ph buffer or something else.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_6/volume_6_4/clams.html

 

[CamG]

Gaping to me is opening the shell while retracting the mantel at the same time with the inhalent opening really wide. so that it is completely open with the mantle out. I don't think a clam can recover from gaping, but a retracting clam because it's being picked on might have a chance.

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77765&d=1292885187

 

[mystersyster]

You have to feed it phytoplankton. I'm thinking that's your problem

Untrue.

 

[greenhorn reefer]

Wow. A lot of information here. I would just acclimate it to your lighting. If it was aquacultured and you are running LEDs it may just have trouble with the intensity. Just try one thing at a time so you can isolate your problem. Also, start from easiest and work your way up to extreme. Lastly, go slow with whatever changes you implement, too many changes too quickly will hurt more than almost anything. Good luck.

 

[CamG]

I could be wrong but I think the best thing here is to separate the blenny and clam and let the clam rest a bit.
It's not gaping its retracting. I don't think a FW dip is necessary, probably wouldn't hurt but not necessary.

 

[sstwelder]

Started the FW dip. Got the ph and temp close to tank's. As soon as i put the clam in it reacted and closed a bit.

 

[sstwelder]

Clam is back in tank, fully retracted so hopefully the FW dip helped. Thanks a lot to everyone, really appreciate everyone's advice.

 

[Roy 9121]

Untrue.

I guess if they are less then 2 inches you should feed them. That's what I've read.

 

[CamG]

Sounds good let us know how it goes... I wouldn't go any longer than 30 min.
Hoping for the best for you !!!!

 

[CamG]

it looks good... it's closed up. That takes energy to do and that's a good thing that it was able to do it..... I actually think you are going to be ok... just make sure it can rest now and that blenny is removed to another tank.

 

[sstwelder]

it looks good... it's closed up. That takes energy to do and that's a good thing that it was able to do it..... I actually think you are going to be ok... just make sure it can rest now and that blenny is removed to another tank.

Doubt I'd be able to remove the blenny, he has a million holes through the rocks he goes through to hide. Tank light is out now. Tomorrow i will keep a close eye on the tank and if i see him i will try to keep him away.