Stressed New Crocea Clam?

[HydroJ]

Got 2 new clams from Saltwater Aquarium. One derasa one crocea. The Derasa looks fantastic, but the crocea looks very stressed. It is receiving 250-320 par for about 10 h and does react to light. Also, it attached itself in about 5 minutes, so I assume it likes where it’s at.

Is there anything I can do to help? Should I be worried that I gonna lose it?

 

[HydroJ]

I heard you are one of the calm gurus? Sorry to bother you @minus9

 

[HydroJ]

Bump

 

[DSC reef]

I've been raising tridacna for decades and in my experience small clams are hit and miss and with yours you'll have to wait it out. Its great the crocea attached. The mantle looks a bit strange, keep an eye out for pinched mantle. Even though the derasa has an extended mantle, true health in a clam is shown by new white shell growth under the mantle. With your clams being very new, its going to be a waiting game. Derasa in my experience seem to be hardier than crocea. Theyre both amazing looking clams. Also, there's an excellent book you might like to read by James Fatheree, lots of great and helpful information about tridacna. Make sure your water isn't too clean, my clams did better with some phosphate and nitrate and even waste from fish. Keep us posted on how theyre doing. Im sure others will chime in too, many experienced tridacna guys and gals on R2R

 

[HydroJ]

I've been raising tridacna for decades and in my experience small clams are hit and miss and with yours you'll have to wait it out. Its great the crocea attached. The mantle looks a bit strange, keep an eye out for pinched mantle. Even though the derasa has an extended mantle, true health in a clam is shown by new white shell growth under the mantle. With your clams being very new, its going to be a waiting game. Derasa in my experience seem to be hardier than crocea. Theyre both amazing looking clams. Also, there's an excellent book you might like to read by James Fatheree, lots of great and helpful information about tridacna. Make sure your water isn't too clean, my clams did better with some phosphate and nitrate and even waste from fish. Keep us posted on how theyre doing. Im sure others will chime in too, many experienced tridacna guys and gals on R2R

Thank you!

 

[HydroJ]

Update. It seems like it's doing better, but part of the mantle seems pinched? I don't want to stress it too much. When should I consider a freshwater dip?

 

[minus9]

Sorry, missed this, but agree with @DSC reef just give it some time to settle in. Depending on your acclimation process, it may take a few days for clams to settle in a new tank. I would lean on the higher end of the light intensity range for the crocea. If after a week, the mantle doesn't straighten out, then I might take a closer look, but I have a feeling it'll be fine. I also concur that you should buy James Fatherree's book, it's really good and will give you a lot of great info.

 

[HydroJ]

Sorry, missed this, but agree with @DSC reef just give it some time to settle in. Depending on your acclimation process, it may take a few days for clams to settle in a new tank. I would lean on the higher end of the light intensity range for the crocea. If after a week, the mantle doesn't straighten out, then I might take a closer look, but I have a feeling it'll be fine. I also concur that you should buy James Fatherree's book, it's really good and will give you a lot of great info.

Just bought it, will read through it!

 

[Tcook]

I would also try to watch parameters like a hawk to keep stable as it looks like this tank has only been running with rock/live rock for less than a month? Watch for new shell growth.

 

[DSC reef]

Thank you!

You're very welcome. Tyat is one gorgeous T. Crocea! Please keep us updated.

 

[exnisstech]

I wasn't thinking of adding another clam but I love that green derasa. Were these wysiwyg or just luck of the draw?

 

[HydroJ]

I would also try to watch parameters like a hawk to keep stable as it looks like this tank has only been running with rock/live rock for less than a month? Watch for new shell growth.

The tbs sand and rock basically turbo started my tank. I'm tracking the parameters daily, and so far they've been stable.

I will keep an eye out for the new growth.

 

[Peer.Boerner]

@HydroJ I hope you keep us posted on your progress. Curious to see how your clam does. Thanks for sharing. Lots of people will learn from your experience.

 

[HydroJ]

I wasn't thinking of adding another clam but I love that green derasa. Were these wysiwyg or just luck of the draw?

I ordered it on Saltwater Aquarium and asked if they could send the picture to ORA to match the clam I want.

 

[HydroJ]

Update:

Clam seems happy today. For the crocea, I can see some minor damage to the mantle that may have occurred during shipping. It is very hard to capture it using my phone.

Today, my alk dipped 0.3 overnight. I guess it is a good sign? I will test again tonight to adjust the dosage of all for reef, and maybe need some other correction dosing if the usage is not balanced.

I'm also dosing live phyto, and have 2 clown fish that comes with the same order from ORA. The fish seems healthy, I guess I just need to wait for them to settle in and start eating.

 

[Peer.Boerner]

Looks very nice! Fingers crossed

 

[Airedale Reef]

Following along here

 

[DSC reef]

Looking great my friend

 

[HydroJ]

Update:

Got some algae problem, it is not too bad, and expected since I set the tank up within 2 weeks (not suggested, I was impatient, bad).

The crocea looks good, so far I hope it's gonna stay happy.

And yeah~ there are also acro in there… don't do what I do.