T.Maxima on its way out?

[NanaReefer]

Purchased on 3-11-16 been doing great until yesterday. Started flinching at everything. Would close up then after a bit slowly open. Now it's closed up and not opening. Shows great growth and mantel is beautiful.

Tank is almost 2yrs old. Have checked for P. Snails, nothing's picking at it, parms are stable, par is 110+, good low flow, attached to large rock.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Every clam that I have had die looked like that before it did. It could not be the case here but...

 

[FL_Reefer]

P. Snails was the culprit in every death of my clams too

 

[NanaReefer]

I've checked it throughly for P. Snails. It's did open a bit just in time for me to see my Bi-Colored Blenny nip at it. It's closed up even more now. All of a sudden he seems very interested in the Clam, ugh!

 

[FL_Reefer]

There Ya go, that's definitely why it's closed up. Hopefully he will leave it alone for ya

 

[bsagea]

If your blenny is nipping at the mantle, the clam will eventually die from being stressed. If you can't or don't want to remove the blenny, try making a cover for it of netting. You can use rock to suspend it or something similar to keep it in place and above and over the clam. It should start to open fully again.

 

[NanaReefer]

What then? Will the net be permanent? Why after months is the fish doing this? Dang this is beyond frustrating!

 

[Tahoe61]

It's been my experience that once a fish begins to nip or pick at clams either the fish or the clam have to go. The fish will not change the behavior and the clam becomes too stressed leading to it's demise.

 

[FL_Reefer]

I agree with Ya Tahoe, that's usually how it goes unfortunately

 

[NanaReefer]

Well lucky for Blenny he makes his night time home in a small hole in a rock. Covered the hole with my thumb, pulled the rock and he's now in my sump.
The fuge area is to small to keep him there permanently but till Monday it'll do. I hope.

 

[NanaReefer]

Clam open and beautiful this morning [emoji2]

 

[NanaReefer]

 

[Tahoe61]

Excellent.

Very cool there was not a drawn out capture attempt either.

 

[NanaReefer]

Nope it all went smoothly. I do feel bad about my fish though. I've yet to have to return/remove/rehome a fish due to incompatibility of any kind.
I may try him again after several days. Have read where they'll do the nipping if not getting enough of the right food. Greens in this case. My DT is pretty barren of algae.

 

[FL_Reefer]

Good to hear! Sorry about the fish. I had a bi-color once and he had a very strong personality and ran my tank. He never changed. But the clams looking good today...

 

[bsagea]

Looks absolutely beautiful! Glad you were able to get the blenny out without issue. Never know why some critters do what they do and what causes them to go rogue.

 

[Tahoe61]

Nope it all went smoothly. I do feel bad about my fish though. I've yet to have to return/remove/rehome a fish due to incompatibility of any kind.
I may try him again after several days. Have read where they'll do the nipping if not getting enough of the right food. Greens in this case. My DT is pretty barren of algae.

Honestly I never removed a fish for coral eating or clam nipping and then reintroduced them. Rarely is catching a fish an easy task, unless they sleep in a bolt hole, for me anyway.
As for feedings, my clam nippers were both Dwarf Angels, Cherub and Potters, I always try to feed what the fish naturally eats. Had a lot of sponges for the Angels. It does not even have to be a constant nip by the fish. If you watch the clam will close if the fish is anywhere near the clam, even if the offending fish even swims by. I can not explain this.
Have you tried chopped Nori mixed into the food? I cut it in thin short strips.

 

[NanaReefer]

You're right about the Clam actually knowing which is the culprit. It's not been bothered at all by the Banggai's very close proximity, nor the 6lines constant overhead passes.
I haven't tried Nori but I do have this. Sadly I didn't notice it has garlic [emoji37]
Do you have a better recommendation please?

 

[4FordFamily]

Nope it all went smoothly. I do feel bad about my fish though. I've yet to have to return/remove/rehome a fish due to incompatibility of any kind.
I may try him again after several days. Have read where they'll do the nipping if not getting enough of the right food. Greens in this case. My DT is pretty barren of algae.

I don't recommend adding him back, it's almost certain it will resume the behavior again.

 

[Tahoe61]

I use Sally's Sea Weed Salad Green Marine Algae, I get it at Petco. A package last me about 6 months and I use it every day almost, cost about eight bucks.