Greg I totally sympathize. Imagine how I felt when I lost my >5 year 14" squamosa last fall in the same manner. I can conclusively say it was not bristleworms: I checked. I removed brittlestars and copepods but the worms hadn't moved in yet.

The thing with scavengers is that they move in when they sense opportunity. I guess a dieing clam must smell like food. I'll tell you, I've seen all manners of critters move in on clams in the last moments - shrimp, fish, etc. Entirely possible that the clams might be saveable at certain points before the scavangers deal the final blow, but generally there's something else that pushes them to the edge first.

The basic layout of clam physiology/biology can be summed up as follows: mantle, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system, then the shell and the muscles to open and close. Some of these operate in more or less complete independence of the others - meaning that internally there could be something wrong before the mantle (generally the only part we really see) starts to show any signs of distress. This could potentially explain part of the "it looked fine yesterday but now it's just an empty shell" phenomenon.

Two books I highly recommend if you're interested in learning more about clams: "Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium" by James Fatheree, and "Giant Clams" by Daniel Knop. The Knop book is a little old now and translated into English so gets a little awkward at time but it is still current and basically the defacto Tridacnid bible so is still worthy of a spot on your bookshelf if you're into tridacnids (and hippopus for that matter). I WAS going to say "if you're into clams" but why give Brett/Kien/Doug/etc. an opening like that.

Sorry if the tone regarding the Bristol vs bristle wasn't obvious as lighthearted, was only intended as a razz. :)

Anyhow I realize this doesn't explain anything and it's frustrating and I really do sympathize. Clams are hugely vexatious parts of the hobby: nothing screams "tropical Pacific reef" more than giant clams and here are they are teasing us and causing us stress when they check out en masse like that. Believe me, I'm conflicted, they drive me nuts and yet I can't stop lovin' them and wanting more. :lol:

cheers

So let me get this straight. What you're trying to say here is that in a Brett and Doug sandwich I would be the filler? I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Riddle me this then......... if BRISTEL worms ( and thanks to Tony for correcting my spelling :lol:) are scavenger's and we all know they are, how come then not one of my dieing clams had a BW inside the clam amongst all the goo when I have taken them out of the tank. I pulled the latest one out today and there where none in sight and the lights had not come on yet.

Tony we all know you where just :razz: us bad spellers :biggrin:

Have you ever watched a bristle worm feed on a dead organism before? Most reach out from the little hiding hole that they live in to feed. They don't all jump right in and wallow in the corpse like pigs in mud. Most also spook and retract right away when discovered.

:lol:

LMAO!!!!!

Any thing that has died or was dying in my tank had a bristle worm in it, on it or under it. I moved some of my zoas around the other day to do some frags and under most of the big disks like you and some were your there were a couple little bristle worms. I don't like them even though most people do, I don't and will remove everyone I see.

I like samages........but that sounds to me like too much meat for my liking......I would more prefer more of a Laurie/Doug/Girly samage....more bun than meat:wink:

DOUG!!! I thought this was a PG rated forum, my ears...I mean my eyes.....I mean........never mind thanks for the visual mind torture :twisted:

Keep dreaming there bud! Besides what's wrong with meat :lol: :razz: Anyways you should think more like a steak sandwich, only one "bun" needed :twised: