Clam question

michika · #1 10-10-2007, 10:55 PM

Okay I've posted this on Clamsdirect's forums but I need a second or third opinion.

What is happening here:

The clam was fine yesterday, and then this afternoon it looks like this.

Parameters:
Sg 1.025
Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite: 0ppm
Ca 420ppm
Mg 1300ppm
dKH 7ppm

Last water change was last Friday. Nothing has been added or changed in the system since then. There was one fish death on Saturday, but it was cleaned up immediately.

Joe Reefer · #2 10-10-2007, 11:03 PM

Does it just stay like that or is it pulsing sometimes?

michika · #3 10-10-2007, 11:09 PM

Staying, but it does close when you move your hand over it. The mantle just never extends. After you put your hand over it it will close, albeit delayed, then reopen, but not all the way.

Der_Iron_Chef · #4 10-10-2007, 11:09 PM

Have you scouted it out at night with a flashlight to see if anything's bothering it?

michika · #5 10-10-2007, 11:12 PM

Nope, not yet. It was only apparent something was wrong about an hour ago. Nothing seemed to be bothering it lately though. Its always quite extended. Granted it is the touchiest clam I down in that it will retract its mantle for anything, a shadow, etc. but its been like that for at least a year since I've had it.

Suggestions on what to do?

I guess I can't post on Clams Direct anymore. It tells me I need to validate my account and to watch my email...well there is no email forthcoming...

Delphinus · #6 10-10-2007, 11:15 PM

Is it gaping? I can't see the inhalant siphon, how open is it?

It .. I dunno it doesn't look good to me. Supposedly if it's gaping, you're better off to put an elastic over the clam to hold it closed, because the weight of the shells pulls the clam open, they get fatigued and this leads to further deterioration. Whereas if they can be held lightly closed, they can rest and maybe stand a better chance of getting over whatever ails them.

I've never tried it though. If it is gaping you might want to do a search and see if anyone else has talked about this method (I'm sure I've heard about it from somewhere, just not sure where or from who).

I'm not sure what else to suggest, sorry. What are the other opinions you're getting on clamsdirect? Have you posted on RC yet too?

michika · #7 10-10-2007, 11:32 PM

The clam itself doesn't appear to be gaping. It just looks like the mantle isn't coming out. Here are some other shots, hopefully these will help.

I've heard of the rubberband thing before, but I've never heard of any success from it.

This is what the clam usually looks like:

Delphinus · #8 10-10-2007, 11:40 PM

Wow, it's really sunken in there.

I hate to say it, but if it's on its way out, .. well 1) there's probaby not much you can do about it at this point, and 2) you'll know before too long - IME it doesn't take long for a clam to go from "looking fine" to "hey, what's going on here?" to "hey, two perfectly clean empty shells! Argh!".

But, sometimes, I've noticed with mine, they pull in for a day or two. When my new squamosa spawned, it looked like that for about a day or two afterwards. Looks totally fine now.

So maybe it's something like that.. Good luck, I'm hoping for the best for you... !!

michika · #9 10-10-2007, 11:57 PM

I am hoping for the best as well as it is one of my favorite clams.

I'm just leaving it be for now and seeing what happens. I kind of thought something wasn't right and it was on the way out when I saw it.

This will be the first time I have lost a clam to "natural" causes and not the stupid lunar wrasse that used to be in my 77g 2 years ago.

michika · #10 10-11-2007, 12:16 AM

I guess I won't be posting this question to Clam's Direct...apparently I must have a parent sign and fax off a form proving my age. This is rediculous..