Is my clam dying

[Navyman14]

is this the start of my clam dying?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Gaping is a sign its on its way out, I've not been able to recover a clam at this stage.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@OrionN @PacificEastAquaculture

 

[PacificEastAquaculture Verified Sponsor]

Not necessarily dying. It has good mantle extension. Clams need a solid base to attach, flat rock under. Also, they need very intense lighting. In the wild, they are embedded in rock generally not more than about 6 feet below the surface. So, you must reproduce that intensity in your tank. They also utilize dissolved organics as nutrition, nitrates and phosphates.

So, check that all parameters are at natural saltwater levels, including iodine and salinity should be about 1.027. Be sure it has rock under it to attach, more full spectrum lighting, and enough organics. Beyond these basics there is not a lot known about clam illnesses. One common parasite is Perkensis, and that is prevalent in certain locations around the world but not often seen in cultured clams. Typically with this you will see mantle retraction.

 

[THE REEF WHISPER]

What's the tank size

 

[Navyman14]

Not necessarily dying. It has good mantle extension. Clams need a solid base to attach, flat rock under. Also, they need very intense lighting. In the wild, they are embedded in rock generally not more than about 6 feet below the surface. So, you must reproduce that intensity in your tank. They also utilize dissolved organics as nutrition, nitrates and phosphates.

So, check that all parameters are at natural saltwater levels, including iodine and salinity should be about 1.027. Be sure it has rock under it to attach, more full spectrum lighting, and enough organics. Beyond these basics there is not a lot known about clam illnesses. One common parasite is Perkensis, and that is prevalent in certain locations around the world but not often seen in cultured clams. Typically with this you will see mantle retraction.

Thank you, glad to hear that it’s not heading out. I will put a rack underneath it and I already have new light on the way.

 

[skinz78]

Agreed, its not dieing but its a little bleached. Get it in the center of the tank and get it in good light.

 

[Navyman14]

I have a new light coming in today!

 

[minus9]

You also may want to move the clam directly under a light instead off to the side of the tank. It looks like it's in a box or something?

 

[Navyman14]

You also may want to move the clam directly under a light instead off to the side of the tank. It looks like it's in a box or something?

It is in the tank not a box?

 

[minus9]

Clams will open their inhalant siphon from time to time, so I wouldn’t be alarmed unless there was a drastic change in parameters or the gaping continues for days? Actual gaping looks much different than what you posted. I would agree, that in this pic the center of the mantle looks lighter than the rest, which could be bleaching, but pics through the front glass are very deceiving. Is there any growth on the upper margins of the shell? This is the first indicator of low light conditions or pests, if you’re not seeing any new “white” growth, then this may give me cause for alarm.

 

[Navyman14]

Clams will open their inhalant siphon from time to time, so I wouldn’t be alarmed unless there was a drastic change in parameters or the gaping continues for days? Actual gaping looks much different than what you posted. I would agree, that in this pic the center of the mantle looks lighter than the rest, which could be bleaching, but pics through the front glass are very deceiving. Is there any growth on the upper margins of the shell? This is the first indicator of low light conditions or pests, if you’re not seeing any new “white” growth, then this may give me cause for alarm.

clam seems to be more colorful today. It has a new light on it as well. Hypereef 100 Gen 2

 

[Navyman14]

clam seems to be more colorful today. It has a new light on it as well. Hypereef 100 Gen 2

I do plan to upgrade my tank soon

 

[minus9]

So I’m only seeing a little growth on the big derasa on the far left, can’t see growth on the smaller derasa and I’m not seeing any on the maxima. Btw, it looks like a wild maxima to me? Is it over 4”? Hopefully the new light will help, but it may take a week or so before you see any new growth. Going forward, if your plan is to add more clams in the future, I would definitely set up a QT/observation tank for any new clams.
I won’t say the maxima doesn’t have PMD, but more likely it’s starving and has been in subpar conditions for a long time, which is the case for a lot of clams, especially wild caught clams.

 

[Tcook]

That looks like a new sterile tank. Are there any nutrients (phosphate and nitrate)? Is that a 30-40 gallon cube with just the single 100 watt light?

 

[ravila101]

Looks like a Fluval evo based off the honeycomb pattern on the top of the rim? But anywho just make sure you have the light hitting them and some strong current in there

 

[IPT]

So, check that all parameters are at natural saltwater levels, including iodine and salinity should be about 1.027. Be sure it has rock under it to attach, more full spectrum lighting, and enough organics.

That seems higher than most of us run our tanks at. Is there a benefit to running at 1.027 vs 1.026 (which I thins 35ppm and where most recommendations are).

 

[Navyman14]

So I’m only seeing a little growth on the big derasa on the far left, can’t see growth on the smaller derasa and I’m not seeing any on the maxima. Btw, it looks like a wild maxima to me? Is it over 4”? Hopefully the new light will help, but it may take a week or so before you see any new growth. Going forward, if your plan is to add more clams in the future, I would definitely set up a QT/observation tank for any new clams.
I won’t say the maxima doesn’t have PMD, but more likely it’s starving and has been in subpar conditions for a long time, which is the case for a lot of clams, especially wild caught clams.

This clam is not wild caught I had gotten it from someone who has had it for about 5 years

 

[Shirak]

That seems higher than most of us run our tanks at. Is there a benefit to running at 1.027 vs 1.026 (which I thins 35ppm and where most recommendations are).

35ppt is 1.0264 sg Adam from Battlecorals runs 1.028sg I think the theory is higher concentrations of minerals and carbonate so alk is more stable?

Regarding the clam. I think I would try to position it up higher and more centered under the light. Looks like it is below the powerhead which is going to shade it quite a bit.

 

[higher99]

Hi! Did it recover?