Clam troubles

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Then how do you explain how a perfectly healthy clam in the morning and for the last 6 month in my tank and how ever long in Dougs tank can be dead in less then 8 hrs? I have been checking all my clams an hr after the lights go out for creepy crawlies and last night there were 2 BRISTLE worms going for the bottom of my 2 biggest clams, not to mention NEITHER are on the sand bed. I got to all 4 of them before they could get into the clam but still one died. And again I said WTF!!

i think what tony is saying is one of your new additions has brought in "the cold" and now they all are sick.....the healthy ones are either gonna fight it to a certain point and just die...... or possibly make it

to keep some bristle worms off try putting your clam on a shelf from eggcrate untill you figure out whats going on good luck buddy sorry to hear about all the clams .....

[Delphinus]

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.

cheers

[kien]

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.

[es355lucille]

LMAO!!!!!

Originally Posted by kien

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.

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by kien

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.

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

[The Grizz]

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:

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by fishytime

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

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

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Riddle me this then......... if BRISTEL worms ( and thanks to Tony for correcting my spelling )

<sigh>

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

if BRISTEL worms ( and thanks to Tony for correcting my spelling )

Originally Posted by Delphinus

<sigh>

That's bristLE not bristEL your getting closer though Grizz, we'll give ya points for tryin

[globaldesigns]

Ah Greg, sorry to hear of the losses, so mine are gone now... that sucks!

Hope you can get the tank in order.