Gapping T. Maxima

NanaReefer · Jan 18, 2019

Is this gapping and if so what are the causes?

mta_morrow · Jan 18, 2019

@Lovemyreef2015
@DSC reef

hotashes · Jan 18, 2019

Although I’m not convinced it’s actually gaping, it could be. However it appears the lights are not at their peak power, for example the look to be ramping up/down.
However it could be the verge of gaping as it appears there is no new shell growth, which is a way of telling if a clam is health. So it doesn’t appear as healthy as should be, but my be able to rescued.

Check your Alk, Cal, Mag levels and can you tell us a little more info on the clam. How long you’ve had it? Have you had it out of the tank recently? Did you know pyramid snails can kill a clam by attacking its insides via the clams byssal/foot.

@DSC reef or @jda your thoughts are valuable as always.

A.

DSC reef · Jan 18, 2019

Maybe beginning stages but can you get some more pics? It might be the blue but the mantle looks bleached. I can't see any new shell growth. Gaping is basically the clam dying so the reasons/causes have a wide range from starvation to protozoans.

NanaReefer · Jan 18, 2019

I’ve had the Clam for 3yrs, tank is 4+ years old. Calc=440 Alk=8.7 mag=1400. It’s not been out of the water, nothing’s harming it. I did however a couple months ago move it higher up by about 4-6”.
What exactly should I be feeding it?

Sorry for crappy pics I’ve misplaced my filters.

Lovemyreef2015 · Jan 18, 2019

What was the reason for moving it? If it's been growing in the tank for that long I wouldn't suspect chemistry. I wouldn't worry about feeding the clam, starvation can happen from not enough light but you've had it long enough to know its receiving enough light. I would take a few more pics over the next few days. If a clam has been doing well for a number of years with new growth I'd be very reluctant on moving it around.

DSC reef · Jan 18, 2019

Agreed. I wouldn't move a happy clam unless absolutely necessary. Keep an eye for the usual suspects like pyramids, I don't see evidence of pinched mantle. Did you have to cut byssal threads to move the clam?

NanaReefer · Jan 18, 2019

No cutting as it’s on its own rock. Moved it due to light program and scheduling change.
I’ve moved it back down and returned schedule back to its original goodness. Hope it works.

Lovemyreef2015 · Jan 18, 2019

Hope it recovers, keep us posted:D

NanaReefer · Jan 19, 2019

Pretty sure I’m losing it. Very little mantle extension, no reaction when I pass my hand between it and lighting.

reef lover · Jan 19, 2019

Does it look like the mantle is pulling away from the shell?

NanaReefer · Jan 19, 2019

reef lover said:
Does it look like the mantle is pulling away from the shell?

No. Just not extending as much as usual.

reef lover · Jan 19, 2019

Not a goner yet then...hows the flow is it laminar to the clam? Meaning it passes over the large incurrent siphon first then over the small exhalent ?

NanaReefer · Jan 19, 2019

reef lover said:
Not a goner yet then...hows the flow is it laminar to the clam? Meaning it passes over the large incurrent siphon first then over the small exhalent ?

I’ve got 2x WP40’s, one on each end. Flow crosses over Clam.

Lovemyreef2015 · Jan 19, 2019

I don't know if it's just the lighting but I'm not seeing any new shell growth.

DSC reef · Jan 19, 2019

IMO the clam is not doing good and I see some bleaching in the mantle from the last pic. No new growth, definitely gaping, I hope it pulls through. A side note, a lot of fish including wrasses find the mucus the mantle produces irresistible so picking can cause issues. The centralized bleaching usually means over illumination in a specific spot.

NanaReefer · Jan 19, 2019

DSC reef said:
IMO the clam is not doing good and I see some bleaching in the mantle from the last pic. No new growth, definitely gaping, I hope it pulls through. A side note, a lot of fish including wrasses find the mucus the mantle produces irresistible so picking can cause issues. The centralized bleaching usually means over illumination in a specific spot.

Thank you for your help. Not what I wanted to hear but I was expecting bad news. I’m heartbroken [emoji17]

reef lover · Jan 19, 2019

NanaReefer said:
I’ve got 2x WP40’s, one on each end. Flow crosses over Clam.

With the mps on each end i would think the best way to orient him would be having the points of his.shell pointing towars one... so the flow goes up and over him and not across him..if that makes sense..
Might not be any helping him now but might help for future clams.