2nd Maxima Clam dead in a month

[Hawkeye]

Painful to report....

Context: I went away for a week and returned to find 1 of 3 maximas dead, the other two with mantels retracted. No other sps or lps show any problems (at least to the naked eye).

My hypothesis: Clams were fine up until addition of two fire shrimp. Two shrimp took up residence directly near the clams. Each feeding they would climb all over the clams. The clams initially retracted but seemed to get use to it. Now while I was a away one of my clams died and the sitter didn't notice (maybe need a new sitter - separate discussion). After the first died, I'm guessing the shrimp did their job and "cleaned" but may have acquired a taste of clam. Right now the second clam is completely retracted and on it's deathbed. That one was in my tank for almost 2 years. I did move both clams away from the shrimp "home" a week ago (clams are on clam shells making them portable).

Now this could be all baloney and I'm only blaming the last invert at the scene of the crime...which is the shrimp.

I need to put a camera on this tank to help.

Anyways i need to figure out what is wrong with the tank...otherwise I'll be mighty disappointed at being unable to buy any clams at the next swap.

 

[mnat]

Fire shrimp do have those little claws that they can and will use. We watched a fire shrimp eat a small goby once so they will use them. I agree with your hypothesis.

 

[TanksNStuff]

Sadly, I do too. Sorry Phil.

Hopefully the new location for the clams will protect them. If not, maybe you dig up one of those clownfish fry tanks and relocate the shrimp?

 

[ZoaNut]

I had a peppermint shrimp dessimate a small maxima (2") overnight. I thought they were going after the few little pieces of junk on the shell, one of which was an aptasia. Woke up to find the mantles completely destroyed and the clam dead. Shrimp on the Barbie! Never again.