Gaping Clam?

[TheEngineer]

I picked up a new clam over the weekend. It is an aquacultured maxima. I got it home and dip a 1 hour drip acclimation before moving it into my coral quarantine tank. I got a few green flat worms off of it, but haven't seen any since. I did a flatworm exit round just now and nothing came off. Might have just been those few I suppose.

The clam seems to be gaping to me, but I'm not sure if perhaps my interpretation of gaping is wrong.

This first picture is an aquacultured maxima I've had for probably 4 years. It has always looked like this.

This is the new clam, (sorry for all the blue). Seems maybe a bit worse? What is weird with this one is that I can see straight through to the sand under the clam through the mouth. It has put down strands and attached itself to a rock buried under it in the sand.

 

[Crabs McJones]

@DSC reef is the clam expert, perhaps he'll know. does appear open more than normal.

 

[TheEngineer]

It's only been in here since Saturday night, so maybe it is still acclimating? It is very reactive to me walking near the tank and to changes in light.

 

[DSC reef]

1st clam looks good, the second clam is gaping, I dont like how the mantle is receding. Can you take a few more pics from different angles.

 

[TheEngineer]

OK. What, if anything, should I do about it?

 

[jda]

Both of those are fully extended. Are you sure that you getting them enough light?

 

[TheEngineer]

Can't say for certain. I haven't done a par test on this tank. I'm running an XR15 G4 Pro at 50% ~14" above the tank.

EDIT: The new clam was in an outdoor greenhouse, so probably getting a lot more light than it current is.

 

[DSC reef]

Both of those are fully extended. Are you sure that you getting them enough light?

I'm not sure about the bottom one, maybe the angle but it doesn't look fully extended to me.

 

[jda]

Let the clam tell you all that you need to know - it knows better than a PAR meter. :) Below are some of the clams in my nursery where they are getting a ton of light... look how they are open, but not stretched out. I would go with "it needs more light." It cannot hurt since you cannot really over light a clam. I would move it up or get more panels or T5s.

 

[DSC reef]

OK. What, if anything, should I do about it?

Keep a close eye. It looks small so if gets worse they go pretty fast.

 

[TheEngineer]

I'll turn up the A360 on the QT and move the one in the DT up a bit and see how it does.

I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Norcalreef]

The thread title hahahaha. Sorry about your clam though.

 

[TheEngineer]

The thread title hahahaha. Sorry about your clam though.

Get your mind out of the gutter! :)

 

[Norcalreef]

Get your mind out of the gutter! :)

Sorry on my lunch break and it made me laugh

 

[TheEngineer]

Clam didn’t make it :(

 

[DSC reef]

Clam didn’t make it :(

Sorry to hear, I knew it didn't look good.

 

[TheEngineer]

Not sure where I went wrong....

 

[DSC reef]

Not sure where I went wrong....

I wouldn't blame yourself. These small clams are tough and a lot are doomed before you get them. My record with a tiny clam is only 2 years.

 

[TheEngineer]

Thanks. I guess that could be it. This is a trusted source but it was on the small side. I really want a derasa like I had before so maybe I’ll just opt for that instead of another maxima.

 

[DSC reef]

Tridacna derasa are nice and hardy. Make sure you post some pics when you get it.