Clam parasite

captainsmitty · Dec 9, 2016

Ahoy there one and all. I have noticed my calm shrinking and have noticed these little brown "things" on it.
Can you help with identifying and treatment? I thank one and all for input.
Captainsmitty

captainsmitty · Dec 9, 2016

captainsmitty · Dec 9, 2016

the white is sand kicked up by my clown but the brown spots are the pests

Lionfish Lair · Dec 9, 2016

I'm seeing flatworms.

KJ · Dec 9, 2016

What is your perimeters? CA , NO3 , ALK , PO4 WHAT KIND OF LIGHTING DO YOU USE? Did you check for any pyramid snails under your clam and how old is your tank?
pyramid snails looks like this.

captainsmitty · Dec 9, 2016

tank is 9 years old I dont see the pyramid snailes. I scrubbed the calm with a toothbrush before putting in my tank
I use compact florescent (1 day light- 1 actinic).
All parameters are within normal

clowner · Dec 9, 2016

Most possibly pyramid snails or other type of parasite

captainsmitty · Dec 9, 2016

So how to treat? Can I use a coral dip? I don't think that would be good for the clam?

captainsmitty · Dec 9, 2016

tank is 9 years old I dont see the pyramid snailes. I scrubbed the calm with a toothbrush before putting in my tank
I use compact floresents (1 day light- 1 actinic).
All parameters are within normal

erinmegan85 · Dec 9, 2016

Look up polyclad flatworms. Is that what the little brown spots look like? They're know to chow down on clams and snails.

hejjo · Dec 9, 2016

The pic is blurry but it looks like some type of flatworm.

I used flatworm exit which was a success but it was very stressful.. more so on me than my coral. If you do decide to use FWE I'd recommend using the best carbon on the market which is rox carbon ( IMO ) in a reactor.

I recommend researching all aspects of flatworm eradication b4 making a final decision and solution since there is a lot on the subject and decide what the best route is best for you. Every system is different and what worked for others may not work for you but that's up to you to decide considering the relationship you've developed with your tank.

I'm running into a similar issue right now but with spaghetti worms. They've some how gotten into the very edge of the shell on my clam and are causing my clam to not open much and is causing me much concern.

Good luck and tread carefully! [emoji106]

captainsmitty · Dec 10, 2016

I am thinking this is Pinched Mantle. The tiny spots i saw did not really appear to be flatworms. I'm thinking of trying
METROPLEX
and a fresh water dip and the elimination of GFO to start.

captainsmitty · Dec 10, 2016

After a 15 minite soak in rodi fresh water and a good scrubbing of the shell i have 14 bristle worms that were left in the fresh water. and a 50% water change in the tank.
Will see how mr. calm is in the morning. he looks about the same for the moment.

RichCalvo · Aug 4, 2017

captainsmitty said:
After a 15 minite soak in rodi fresh water and a good scrubbing of the shell i have 14 bristle worms that were left in the fresh water. and a 50% water change in the tank.
Will see how mr. calm is in the morning. he looks about the same for the moment.

How did it go?

captainsmitty · Aug 5, 2017

belly up

Tahoe61 · Aug 5, 2017

captainsmitty said:
After a 15 minite soak in rodi fresh water and a good scrubbing of the shell i have 14 bristle worms that were left in the fresh water. and a 50% water change in the tank.
Will see how mr. calm is in the morning. he looks about the same for the moment.

Bristle worms are not the issue they are just attracted to an already dying clam.
The FW are not Polyclad and most likely already present in your system.
When was the last time you changed out the PC bulbs?

reef lover · Aug 5, 2017

Even if the PCs were new idk if two cf is enough to keep a clam alive.....

DSC reef · Aug 5, 2017

How long have you had the clam? I understand the tank is 9 years old and parameters were "acceptable" but chemistry swings can be damaging. I'd upgrade lighting in the future as well. Stress added to a sic clam never ends well. Sorry for the loss.