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Clam Issues

G

Gonzapa

I had a fish break a piece of a coral (about a 1/4 inch long)and fall right in the middle of one of my clams.
The piece has been in there for 5 days and does not have any sign of going anywere .
I tried turning the clam upside down with no luck. I wlso tried to remove it wit twizzers but any time I get close to the clam it closes.
The clam is not fully opening anymore.

Any idea what I can do?? Should I just let it be and hope for the best?
 
D

Dave

Is it able to close fully with the coral there?

If you wait above the clam after the initial close, will it open again, possibly giving you an opportunity to get the coral?

While I would want to get the coral out, I am not sure you could definitively say whether it will be an issue long term.
 
G

Gonzapa

Dave said:
Is it able to close fully with the coral there?

If you wait above the clam after the initial close, will it open again, possibly giving you an opportunity to get the coral?

While I would want to get the coral out, I am not sure you could definitively say whether it will be an issue long term.
Click to expand...

Clam can close fully, but not open all the way
 
D

Dave

To be honest, while I would want it out, just because it would bug me. I would be concerned of doing significant damage while trying to get it.

Is the mantle fully extending, but the shell does not open all the way, or are both impaired?

Is the clam large enough where most of its nutrients are derived from photosynthesis?

Not sure there is a good answer on this one.
 
G

Gonzapa

Dave said:
Is the mantle fully extending, but the shell does not open all the way, or are both impaired?

Is the clam large enough where most of its nutrients are derived from photosynthesis?
Click to expand...
Mantle opens half way, and the clam is about 4 inches
 
D

Dave

3 inches is supposed to be the magic number for when the nutrients are primarily derived from photosynthesis.

If it was me, i guess I would wait a bit more before doing anything drastic.

I just can't see a good way of getting it out without risking some serious damage to the clam.

As long as the clam is still reacting quickly to stimuli, which it sounds like it is, it is probably doing ok.
 
Sunny

Sunny

NJRC Member
Article Contributor
It may sound dumb but .....

How about using thoes long skewers we use for grilling shrimps?
They are long toothpic like skewers. I would break the pointy sharp edge and apply some super glue to it.
Making sure there is no dripping I would try to aim for the coral from the side.
If the skewer hits the bulls eye the coral will stick. Even if clamp closes you can wait for it to open
and then pull the skewer out.

Just a thought.
 
G

Gonzapa

The piece has been removed.
I used a technique sugested by a reefer in another site. I pointed a 500 w halogen light directly at the clam and tried to remove the piece with twizzers. With that amount of light once the clam realized I had a hold of the piece of coral it was too late.

Here is the picture I took with the piece of coral still in there.
 
D

Dave

Gonzapa said:
BTW can anyone tell me what kind of clam it is?
Click to expand...

First, glad to hear you were able to take it out. That was a great suggestion.

Clam looks like a Maxima, but a clearer picture of the shell would help.

Maxima has more defined ridges and the shell is less curved from side to side. Crocea would be more rounded with less defined ridging on the shell.
 
G

Gonzapa

Dave said:
Gonzapa said:
BTW can anyone tell me what kind of clam it is?
Click to expand...

First, glad to hear you were able to take it out. That was a great suggestion.

Clam looks like a Maxima, but a clearer picture of the shell would help.

Maxima has more defined ridges and the shell is less curved from side to side. Crocea would be more rounded with less defined ridging on the shell.
Click to expand...
Crocea it is then. It has almost no ridges
 
G

Gonzapa

Dave said:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/17415/product.web

click on the enlarge image if you want a good idea of the look of a maxima clam.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/17429/product.web

Same for crocea.
Click to expand...

Defenetly a crocea....
Ultra Crocea clams range in color from blue to purple to green, often a combination of these colors, and sometimes having golden markings. Their mantles scallop gracefully over the edge of their shells. They require frequent feedings and adequate lighting and flow to thrive.
...
 
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