Is my Clam Dead?

tdyrkacz · Nov 25, 2015

I just got a maxima a few days ago from Live Aquaria. It looked beautiful and was opening up nicely. I put it upright on the sand and put a rock right underneath it. It kept going on its side and the hermit crabs appeared to be attracted to it. Today I found it totally on its side completly closed. A few smails and hermit crabs tying to get inside of it.... The area where it's foot used to be it seems like there is a hole there now... No idea what might have happened.

I'm pretty sure it's dead I guess I would just like to know what might have happened.

My calcium is about 420 Alkalinity at 8.2 magnesium around 1360. Salinity 1.025 - 1.026 ... all bad stuff at undetectable levels.

Thanks for your help.

joshkirkland83 · Nov 25, 2015

What kind of lights?

tdyrkacz · Nov 25, 2015

I have 2 Acan Led fixtures.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 25, 2015

It's not the lights unless they're crazy super in tense.
That sounds like either an acclimation problem or an unhealthy animal.
My friends Lfs got 5 or so beautiful clams one didn't make it. It does happen.
Just double check all your everything again acclimation included do some research by the experts and try again.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 25, 2015

Sniff him. You'll know.

steelheader.262 · Nov 25, 2015

I'm guessing it was a baby ?

I've heard anything under 3 inches is impossible to keep alive.

tdyrkacz · Nov 25, 2015

Yeah it was a little smaller than 3"

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 25, 2015

Mine is about 2".

tdyrkacz · Nov 25, 2015

Thanks everyone. I acclimated the clam over 2 hours. When I transferred it I made sure it closed first, but it was exposed to air for a few seconds. It was still fine after that for 5 days until this morning when i found it looking dead.

steelheader.262 · Nov 25, 2015

Always sucks losing a clam, I lost a 5" Maxima a few months back.

Going to pick up my new one tonight.

tdyrkacz · Nov 25, 2015

Yeah I just wish i knew what it was. Otherwise I have no way of knowing how to prevent this with the next one.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 25, 2015

Check your technique with the experts. Real experts not random dudes on a board. If your sure your sure it may have been the animal.

joshkirkland83 · Nov 25, 2015

Are you feeding it?? Clams that small require extra food as in phytoplankton.

DeniseAndy · Nov 25, 2015

First off, some questions for you...

How large was the clam?
Did you happen to check it carefully for tiny snails around its foot area when you received it? Eggs around the shell?
Was it footed on anything when you got it?
Did you check the foot for any damage?

IME maximas are the hardest of the clams to acclimate to captivity and new environments. Even moving them around will tick them off sufficiently that they parish. Even if these guys are ORA or captive grown, it does not mean they are used to tank environments. They are grown on huge runways or in the ocean is specific areas. Maximas just tend to be rather picky.

I have grown maximas from 3/4" to over 2" and then when I least expect it, they die. I have had maximas that were 6" and only live 6 months. Every time my little ones have died it was because of movement and change of environment.

If you want to start with clams, try a derasa. They are a bit more forgiving in water chemistry, movement and light.

tdyrkacz · Nov 25, 2015

To answer some of the questions. It was just under three inches. I did not check for snails. It was footed to a few small rocks when I got it. I did not remove or tough the rocks. It was hard to see the foot since it was covered with the small rocks. I have not fed it yet. I ordered food specifically for the clam at the same time when I ordered the clam and the food should be here tomorrow...

Thanks for the advice. I think I will try another type of clam next time.

DeniseAndy · Nov 26, 2015

Under 3" maxima needs food and security. Meaning, any snails or anything that might move it around they will get upset. They will even get themselves in trouble quite often. Sorry for your loss, I would try a squamosa or derasa. However, these guys grow big and fast.

Viperdoug · Nov 26, 2015

Once you see hermit crabs trying to get into it you know it's gone. They are attracted to the decomposing tissue. Clams can be tough. I had a couple of them a few years back. I may try one again. Good luck!

Brian Kim · Nov 26, 2015

steelheader.262 said:
I'm guessing it was a baby ?

I've heard anything under 3 inches is impossible to keep alive.

I asked my LFS to get me gold maxima and they brought in 2" ones. I refused to bring them home and waited for them to raise them to 3". Fastforward, it's been a month since and today when I went back there, they were much larger (Didn't measure them) but looked like it was close to 3, had no idea they could grow that fast.
Long story short, I brought it home, acclimated it and now crossing my fingers it does well in my tank.