Critter growing on clam, is it hazardous and if so how best to remove?
 

Hey everyone, I just recently noticed that my clam's mantle seems to be receding exposing the white shell underneath. Will look closer at water params etc. to try to resolve that. On further inspection I noticed what looks like a tubeworm of some sort growing on the side of its shell underneath an area of the mantle that the clam likes to keep elevated. I'm guessing that this worm is irritating the clam and should be removed, but what's the best way to do that? See pics below.

Thanks for the assistance.


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...f/IMGP6809.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...f/IMGP6799.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/...f/IMGP6800.jpg

Just some sort of tube worm. Wouldn't worry about it :biggrin:

Looks like a vermatid snail to me. Probably nothing to worry about, but you could just scrape it off if you can get at it and do so without hurting the clam. They grow all over my return pump in my sump and are easily removed with a glass cleaning scraper.

Vermetid snail. Plug the entrance of its shell with epoxy or glue. They produce mucus nets that will irritate your clam but otherwise not harmful.

I had the same thing about three weeks ago. I just poked a knife in his opening and killed him. Clam is opening all the way up again.

ya i did the same thing I used KALK and it worked. also i have seen Apatasia on there mantle and i scaped it away and it kept coming back for Future reference.

Hey everyone, thanks for the replies.