I dropped a rock on my clam!

[Perpetual Novice]

I was adjusting the aquascape in my tank and a large coral skeleton fell on my 7 inch derasa clam. It has opened back up since then and I can see that there is a scratch in the mantle and also another spot where it appears a small piece of coral may have pierced the mantle and broke off. or at the very least it is wedged into it somehow. The clam is responsive and acting healthy as normal except for the visible injuries. Will it heal on its own? Should I try to remove the broken coral piece? I already tried once but face-palmed when the clam obviously closed on my finger. What do I do?

 

[Perpetual Novice]

Here are photos of the injury.

 

[SlipperyWhipple]

Aww man that sucks. I’m really sorry to hear that. Hopefully it can heal on its own

 

[motortrendz]

Maybe use a pair of forceps or a large tweezer to grab it

 

[Bryson.bobby]

@DSC reef, what do you think?

 

[Perpetual Novice]

I don’t know how delicate the mantle is. I have small tweezers and large foot-long blunt ones as well. But in both cases I’m afraid of further damaging the mantle if I’m clumsy.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Personally, I would leave it be and hope it heals itself. Maybe someone will chime in with more useful information.

 

[Zoaologist]

I’d leave him alone and hope he recovers from it. He looks like he will make it from the photos.

 

[Purplelobst92]

Here are photos of the injury.

it will be fine they go through way worse stuff in the wild

 

[Perpetual Novice]

I’d leave him alone and hope he recovers from it. He looks like he will make it from the photos.

what about the puncture? will it heal beneath it and slowly push it out like some kind of terminator or something?

 

[DSC reef]

I would leave the clam be for now, should recover over time as the clam looks healthy.

 

[Purplelobst92]

what about the puncture? will it heal beneath it and slowly push it out like some kind of terminator or something?

they get attacked by fish, and all sorts of other creatures and survive so i would say just leave it be, thats all you can do really, there is no way to heal a damaged clam besides let it heal itself.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

I agree with not trying to remove the wedged piece of coral skeleton, my concern would be to make the puncture larger, which could increase the chance of infection. Good luck, I hope it heals up nicely.

 

[flsalty]

I would be inclined to let it heal itself. I think it will push it out eventually.