T. maxima advice (fictional)

[AJ_77]

Let's say a person had a young (3 inch) gold T. maxima and they saw what appeared to be a couple of aptasia fastened to its shell, one near the mantle but not yet stinging it. Now suppose this clam was stressed from shipping, and from a week or so under less-than-optimum conditions within its new home.

Let's say that the owner, a concerned and earnest young man, wanted to take appropriate action, and he thought that by lifting the clam gently (upside down, of course) into a small pail of tank water that he could then remove the aptasia by a recommended procedure.

But wait, let's imagine that out of his concern for the already-stressed clam, the caretaker withheld the above-mentioned course of action. Would he be acting prudently, to wait until the clam was more settled? Further, at what point could the fellow take action on the pests? What signs would he look for that the clam was fit to be handled and cleansed of the parasite?

Hmmmmm... For myself, I cannot say, I have not the experience with such animals - just a book. Perhaps others would ponder this story and pose a conclusion.

AJ