Yellow Coris/Maxima clam

paraletho · Jan 24, 2016

Has anyone had problems with a Yellow coris nipping on their clams. They have been together for over a year no problems. The clam is always out in the day, but the last couple of days he is pulled in and trying to ease out. The Coris is spending a lot of time and curiosity around the clam. I see no parasites such a pyramid snails that he would be attracted to. I am wondering if he has developed a taste for clam.

LostInTheDark · Jan 24, 2016

Does the clam still look healthy? When clams start their downward spiral they attract a host of predators that would normally leave them alone.

Tahoe61 · Jan 24, 2016

Could be he is just picking at pods. If you have not completely checked the foot/base of the clam at night for pyramids I would.

I have never had a wrasse go after a clam, but I am pretty confident it has happened.

Concern seems to be that the wrasse is stressing out the clam and that is not good. IME a stressed clam eventually succumbs and dies, so if it continues to be an issue I would intervene. Wrasses are hard to catch, since this wrasse type sleeps in the sand you might want to try catching it as it sleeps.

eatbreakfast · Jan 24, 2016

A yellow coris is not a predator of healthy clams. If the clam is closed/pinched then there is likely another cause. A yellow coris will be interested in any clam parasites, but my also be interested in a sick/dying clam as well.

paraletho · Jan 24, 2016

Tahoe61 said:
Could be he is just picking at pods. If you have not completely checked the foot/base of the clam at night for pyramids I would.

I have never had a wrasse go after a clam, but I am pretty confident it has happened.

Concern seems to be that the wrasse is stressing out the clam and that is not good. IME a stressed clam eventually succumbs and dies, so if it continues to be an issue I would intervene. Wrasses are hard to catch, since this wrasse type sleeps in the sand you might want to try catching it as it sleeps.

I may just be imagining things. I have had this Maxima for 8 yrs in 2 different tanks. I would hate to lose it. Catching the wrasse is no problem. It is a barebottom tank and he sleeps in a container of sand.

LostInTheDark said:
Does the clam still look healthy? When clams start their downward spiral they attract a host of predators that would normally leave them alone.

Other than the clams mantle not coming out fully for the last 2 days. It seems fine. I did start feeding Reef Nutrition Arcti Pods about a week ago. All parameters stable and corals are happy. I will try a night time look.