Is this PMD in my Maxima?

[PTXReef]

Is this PMD??

Parameters:
1.025 sg, 33.6 ppt
78.8 F
Calcium: 482 ppm (Hanna)
Alkalinity: 7.5 dKH (Hanna)
Magnesium: 1640 ppm (RedSeaKit) Not sure if this is accurate.
pH: 8.2 (API Test Kit)
Nitrite: 0 ppm (API Test Kit)
Ammonia: 0 ppm (API Test Kit)
Nitrate 0-5 ppm (API Test Kit)

 

[Daniel@R2R]

@OrionN may be able to help.

 

[PTXReef]

@OrionN may be able to help.

Thanks! I read the PMD Posts but just wanted experienced eyes to take another look before I decide to proceed with the freshwater dip. Any further advice is very much appreciated!

 

[OrionN]

It does look like PMD. Make sure there are nothing there that irritated the clam like aptasia. It should look better in AM and worst as the day go on. It should worsen day after day. It should have strands of mucus from the irritated area. And it is a new clams in your tank, or some new clams must be added to your system.
If all of the above meet, then it is PMD and FWD should cure it, especially if you put him in another aquarium free of disease.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'd give it a freshwater dip (yes-safe - just assure similar water temperature, preferably RO water) for 3-5 minutes and reacclimate it back into display. They do require brighter light than what your pic is showing and parameters are in nice range other than CA just a tad high.

 

[DSEKULA]

Even healthy clams can get annoyed and scrunch up at times, how long has it been in that spot? You posted fine parameters but has anything changed. The way I've used to spot pmd is to wait untill the clam is happy and as open as it gets at whatever full light normally is. Rapidly shut off the tank lights the clam should close up rapidly as if it just got dark or a predator is over it blocking the sun. When it retracts watch to see if the mantle equally closes up all around or of it does a kind of half and half thing then evens out. I forget where I read this but it's helped me make a much earlier diagnoseis as a pmd clam will close up unevenly every time and only retract evenly at the end.

 

[OrionN]

I would dip 30 mins. Clams will tolerate 30 mins with no problem. Dip only 5 mins may not take care of the problem

 

[PTXReef]

The clam is ~1.5 inches and it has been in my system for a bit over a month now. It is sitting 14 inches from the surface ~250 PAR. It retracts fully and very quickly when any shadows are above it, opening fully except for the spot in question. There is no mucus on any part of the mantle and there are no aiptasia. It has moved itself a bit but has reattached to the orientation it likes.

There is also this darker indented spot on it, should I be concerned? As for the freshwater dip, will the age/size of the clam matter in terms of duration of the dip? Thank you everyone for the responses, this is my first clam!

 

[PTXReef]

Update: Did a 15 minute freshwater dip on the clam after the lights went out yesterday. Opened up today:

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Update: Did a 15 minute freshwater dip on the clam after the lights went out yesterday. Opened up today:

I love a happy ending!

 

[PTXReef]

Updates from today. How does it look?

 

[OrionN]

It looks better But there is retraction still.
if the retraction continues to improve then just watch him. If not re-dip him for 30 mins and put him in a different system if you can. If not put him in a spot as far away from the old one as possible.
good luck with him.

 

[PTXReef]

It looks better But there is retraction still.
if the retraction continues to improve then just watch him. If not re-dip him for 30 mins and put him in a different system if you can. If not put him in a spot as far away from the old one as possible.
good luck with him.

He was dipped for 15 min exactly a week ago. There are no other clams in my system. Should I wait longer or dip for 30 min tonight? Thanks for all the help!

 

[PTXReef]

Redipping but for 30 minutes as you have suggested @OrionN . I monitored the clam for 3 weeks after its 15 minute dip and it seemed to be getting better for the first week, then stayed about the same for the next two weeks. Hoping this dip will help it extend happily again!

 

[PTXReef]

9/9/2020 Update:

The bottom half looks more extended but the area in question looks just a tiny bit better? Don’t think the collonista snails are bothering it but going to wait another week or two before redipping and then setting up an area for it across the tank.

At least it doesn’t look like it’s getting worse + I am dosing some phyto and get some good pumping reaction from the clam when it hits the water.

 

[OrionN]

I think it is looking good. Continue to observer, I think it will do fine without further treatment

 

[PTXReef]

9/13 Update:

Maxima is looking better! The retracted area on the mantle is extending more! However, I noticed the color of the mantle isn’t as vibrant as before (although still very pretty), maybe a tad bit more brown? First thought would be dirty water (will get some carbon in the system as I haven’t been using any for months). Second thought would be insufficient lighting? According to Red Sea’s ReefLED 50s he should be sitting at 200-250 PAR at the minimum. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[OrionN]

Crocea and Maxima should have full spectrum light rather than blue light. I think 200 PAR is too little. I would check and see if you slowly crease to about 300+

 

[PTXReef]

Crocea and Maxima should have full spectrum light rather than blue light. I think 200 PAR is too little. I would check and see if you slowly crease to about 300+

I am running Red Sea LED 50s for 10 hours a day with 100% blues and 40% whites (recently increased whites from 30 to 40%). I noticed some other corals also getting a bit brown. Should I increase the white further? I am thinking about moving the maxima clam higher as well for more light. Thanks for all the replies and the advice!

 

[OrionN]

You can turn the light to white and blue equal, say 50% each then take the picture. Once you took the picture, I would consider increase white by 10% weekly until you reach 100% on both.
I like crisp white light better then an all blue tank. There are so much more color instead of just the fluorescent color green and yellow.