Think I found my answer

[Huskymaniac]

Turned the clam upsidedown to do another inspection and right by the bysal area i saw a bristleworm and then it appeared to move into the clam. Atleast I am 90% that is what I saw. I do not think it is eating the clam but I am assuming it is setting up home and everytime it moves it is irritating the clam causing it to close. How do I get it out of the clam? Do I wait it out?

 

[cpschult]

Dip in Bayer. More likely polyclad flatworm? What exactly did it look like.

Clams are really tough. I’ve had a few that lasted, then boom gone over night.

 

[BMAN88]

...

 

[BMAN88]

A fresh RODI water dip for 20 minutes. Heat the water to the same temperature as the tank, submerge the clam and use a turkey baster to blast the area near the clams’ base.

It has worked for myself

 

[reef lover]

If u do a fresh water dip make sure to adjust pH to the same as tank water....

 

[Huskymaniac]

Pretty sure it was a bristleworm or a fireworm. It was a purpleish color maybe some redissh and once the clam was upside down it tucked itself in a crease of the shell and I couldnt see it anymore. I put the clam back upright and it opened back up.

 

[DSC reef]

I'd avoid dipping it. Bristleworms seemed to like to hang out in the bottom of the shell of our squamosa. Never hurt the clam and it won't eat it unless it's dying. I would remove the bristleworms occasionally and did so for years.

 

[Huskymaniac]

I think i have to dip this clam. Not sure what else can be done but it looks terrible. Pretty sure its on the way out.

 

[Huskymaniac]

so clam was dipped. The bristle worm that I think was causing the issue is dead. I think the clam may be gone though. I have never dipped a clam before but it is gaping pretty bad. Not sure if this is normal or not.

 

[Shigshwa]

so clam was dipped. The bristle worm that I think was causing the issue is dead. I think the clam may be gone though. I have never dipped a clam before but it is gaping pretty bad. Not sure if this is normal or not.

A gape is normal after a dip, it's stressful after all. How long did you dip? I think it's in the hands of fate now, prayers for your clam.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Dipped for 20 minutes. The mouth is still gaped this morning. Is that normal?

 

[4FordFamily]

I’m guessing the bristle worm was feeding on an already dead or dying clam. I certainly hope I’m wrong.

 

[Huskymaniac]

This is what it looks like this morning.

 

[DSC reef]

It appears to be on its way out. The incurrent siphon isn't a concern but the gaping where the mantle starts to retract into the shell is concerning. Sorry, it's not easy loosing a clam. We've been there.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Its tough. I had this clam for basically a 1/3rd of my life. I basically setup the reefer xxl 750 for it. Built the entire tank around it. I need to figure out now do I retire from reef keeping and maybe do a fowlr or just get rid everything in general. I am totally disgusted with Live Aquaria and myself for not quarantining a stupid 2 inch clam.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Its tough. I had this clam for basically a 1/3rd of my life. I basically setup the reefer xxl 750 for it. Built the entire tank around it. I need to figure out now do I retire from reef keeping and maybe do a fowlr or just get rid everything in general. I am totally disgusted with Live Aquaria and myself for not quarantining a stupid 2 inch clam.

 

[DSC reef]

I wouldn't give up. We lost our entire collection from pyramids and our 12" squamosa we had since 3". The lesson learned is that once we buy another clam in the future I won't be adding any others due to protozoans and parasitic snails that come on them. One happy clam is all we need.

 

[Shigshwa]

It's mighty hard to know if a clam carries a disease or not if it's dormant, that's the tricky part. Even if DD quarantines their clams, it would not have been apparent until you end up receiving it.

I would persist, it sucks to lose such a long time friend, but you have an entire established ecosystem to work with, and there are plenty of opportunities to find something new and awesome. If you find a 4 inch Derasa, I would not be surprised if it reached a similar size in no time, they do grow fast after all.

 

[Huskymaniac]

The only thing about DD is that all of there clams are infected. Unless they take down there clams every clam in there system is exposed to it. I suppose the cycle needs to be broken but if they arent breaking that cycle than I cant see how they are selling healthy clams. I wish i knew somewhere else where you could buy them. Unfortuantley options are limited.

 

[Shigshwa]

The only thing about DD is that all of there clams are infected. Unless they take down there clams every clam in there system is exposed to it. I suppose the cycle needs to be broken but if they arent breaking that cycle than I cant see how they are selling healthy clams. I wish i knew somewhere else where you could buy them. Unfortuantley options are limited.

Probably pretty prevalent if it's from the ORA clams. I think the only way to rid a clam of it would be to QT and dose some kind of anti-protozoal medication, like metronidazole.