New clam doing weird clam things i guess.

[251924]

So after my blue tux urchin went clam bowling and took out my one of my smallish ultra fiji clams (upper rock work and didnt survive the fall) I decided to replace it with an Ultra Maxima clam. I got it from an auction in my state for a good price. This is what I would consider being a "real" clam (compared to 1" crocea. Being at or over 4" inches with an impressive looking mantle. I didnt think i would like the look of a non fiji mantle but this guy has won me over.
The problem i have with this clam is I will see its mantle out and then it will randomly retract and somewhat pulse with its mantle before having it extended again. I dont believe it to be any pyramid snails as my tank pest bouncers my Melanurus and Yellow Coris inspect anything new to the tank for their approval. . Is this clam just adjusting to the tank and lighting or something i should be looking out for? As i said upper rockwork so probably around 400ish par.

 

[kevgib67]

So after my blue tux urchin went clam bowling and took out my one of my smallish ultra fiji clams (upper rock work and didnt survive the fall) I decided to replace it with an Ultra Maxima clam. I got it from an auction in my state for a good price. This is what I would consider being a "real" clam (compared to 1" crocea. Being at or over 4" inches with an impressive looking mantle. I didnt think i would like the look of a non fiji mantle but this guy has won me over.
The problem i have with this clam is I will see its mantle out and then it will randomly retract and somewhat pulse with its mantle before having it extended again. I dont believe it to be any pyramid snails as my tank pest bouncers my Melanurus and Yellow Coris inspect anything new to the tank for their approval. . Is this clam just adjusting to the tank and lighting or something i should be looking out for? As i said upper rockwork so probably around 400ish par.

They react to light so if your hand or a fish gets between it and the light it will withdraw it’s mantle briefly. Perhaps that’s what is going on?

 

[minus9]

Sounds like normal behavior to me.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@OrionN

 

[251924]

They react to light so if your hand or a fish gets between it and the light it will withdraw it’s mantle briefly. Perhaps that’s what is going on?

Nothing swimming over it when it has done it and im looking at it directly not overhead. It does retract correctly if i shade it so the clam seems healthy just the pulsing seems a bit concerning. I havent seen my crocea clam doing it.

 

[kevgib67]

Nothing swimming over it when it has done it and im looking at it directly not overhead. It does retract correctly if i shade it so the clam seems healthy just the pulsing seems a bit concerning. I havent seen my crocea clam doing it.

That’s a good sign of a healthy clam. @OrionN has been summoned, he is a clam aficionado.

 

[KrisReef]

Every clam that I have ever seen with “the twitch” slowly failed to thrive and eventually withered.

Did you fresh water dip the clam before you put it in the tank? My success rate with clams increased greatly after I started dipping them preemptively before putting them in the tank.

RODI, water acclimated to the tank while the clam floats in its shipping bag. Once the temperatures are matching the clam goes into the RODI for 30 minutes. I keep an eye out for any stress, other than the clam being clammed up and then release the clam into the DT or QT if you are using one.

This I gathered from @OrionN - who developed a dip for pinched mantle disease.

I don’t know why you they twitch, but the OP’s description is pretty obvious when you see it. Sorry.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Maybe its just moving, positioning itself comfortably?

 

[251924]

Every clam that I have ever seen with “the twitch” slowly failed to thrive and eventually withered.

Did you fresh water dip the clam before you put it in the tank? My success rate with clams increased greatly after I started dipping them preemptively before putting them in the tank.

RODI, water acclimated to the tank while the clam floats in its shipping bag. Once the temperatures are matching the clam goes into the RODI for 30 minutes. I keep an eye out for any stress, other than the clam being clammed up and then release the clam into the DT or QT if you are using one.

This I gathered from @OrionN - who developed a dip for pinched mantle disease.

I don’t know why you they twitch, but the OP’s description is pretty obvious when you see it. Sorry.

Its not a constant twitch and I havent seen it doing it for more than 10 seconds at a time.
But to answer your question no i didnt dip it was an aqua cultured one not wild. When the mantle is out its full spread. I guess I can try dipping if it keeps twitching? But the below picture is how it looks most of the time when the blues are on.

Sorry picture isnt the best I took the picture with a cheap glass reef filter in front of it. I see a full spread mantle with no gaping

 

[gigasclam1972]

Sounds like an irritation inside the clam. Clams will do that to expell foreign material from inside their bodies. I would not recommend FWD as this is not the intended indication for that treatment. Try holding the clam upside down under water to see if u can get whatever is irritating it out. Just a couple up amd downs...nothing forceful. Clams are pretty good at expelling debris. Also, 400 par is high light, so would consider acclimating it over a week or two rather than blast it. It could also be reacting to intense light
Good luck!

 

[251924]

Sounds like an irritation inside the clam. Clams will do that to expell foreign material from inside their bodies. I would not recommend FWD as this is not the intended indication for that treatment. Try holding the clam upside down under water to see if u can get whatever is irritating it out. Just a couple up amd downs...nothing forceful. Clams are pretty good at expelling debris. Also, 400 par is high light, so would consider acclimating it over a week or two rather than blast it. It could also be reacting to intense light
Good luck!

Thanks all...I found the issue

The clam had 3 small aiptasias growing in the groves on its shell.
I rocked the clam gentlly to break its hold on the rock and used a knife to scrap the nems off
scrapping in all the groves just incase something else was growing. I took a tupperware container and filled it with some refug water and rinsed the clam off to remove any cells that were still on the clam and then placed the clam back in the water. The clam is no longer acting weird