Clam doesnt have a foot??!!!

banditpowdercoat · #1 03-01-2010, 11:35 PM

Well, after about 2 months of my clam not extending much, and never staying put, allways falling over. I'm examing him a bit today, and notice I can look right through the opening in the bottom!!! He has no foot! I've moved him under a lower PAR light, he wasnt seeming to open under the Phoenix 14K. Mantle is showing more, but worried about the loss of foot??

whatcaneyedo · #2 03-02-2010, 12:58 AM

Its a crocea right? Can you provide a picture? I have two. My smaller one is attached but my larger one never did. Some species attach when they are smaller and then let go when they grow larger and never re-attach. Here is a picture of the bottom of mine which I've owned for 4 years. Is this how yours looks?

banditpowdercoat · #3 03-02-2010, 01:07 AM

Ya thats how he USED to look. now its just a big cavity.

He's still responsive when another fish swims by, ir you grab him

whatcaneyedo · #4 03-02-2010, 01:34 AM

That does look pretty bad. Is it experiencing pinched mantle or gaping as well? Aside from just sitting and waiting to see how things pan out there isnt a whole lot that can be done about clams that arent doing well. Fresh water dips work well for pinched mantle (I've done it on several occasions). And a little PVC can make a nice clam brace to keep them from falling over all of the time.

banditpowdercoat · #5 03-02-2010, 02:32 AM

No pinched mantle. Thats a real cool idea for a clam holder though. I'll have to make one when I get back from camp.

christyf5 · #6 03-02-2010, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

And a little PVC can make a nice clam brace to keep them from falling over all of the time.

Freakin brilliant!!!! What an awesome idea!!

As for your clam, the foot is still there, its the round thing inside, what is missing is the byssal gland/byssal threads that hold the clam to surfaces. It might be able to regrow them but it takes time. If the gland is too damaged it might not grow back at all. Be sure to set the clam on top of something so critters can't get into the shell from underneath.

whatcaneyedo · #7 03-02-2010, 03:26 AM

My derasa would always falls over so I built one for it. It would tip to the side so much that it was beginning to grow a bit funny but now that the clam book-ends are holding it upright it looks much better.