Whats wrong with my Clams?

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

From reading all the posts in this thread and seeing that everything seems in check (but still think you need to make a bigger and more often water changes as you said 10glns for a 240glns tank meaning 0.05% total volume)
In my opinion and past experience I think some or one of your fish has acquired a taste for your clams as you mentioned that they seem to open up at night when fish are not around (as some folks already mentioned)

[TimT]

If your nitrates are at 0 that is one problem. Clams do need some ammonia/nitrate to fuel their zoozanthellae.

Also check your alk, low alk can cause those symptoms.

Another option is pyramidellid snails, check in the scutes for them and under the clam, around the byssal opening. The snails are generally nocturnal unless there is a heavy infestation.

Clams from Vietnam are also not the healthiest. They tend to carry perkinsus aka pinched mantle disease.

Cleaner wrasses are also known to go after the iridophores on clams. My suspicion is it's a combination of the cleaner wrasse and no nitrate for food.

Cheers,
Tim

[MarkoD]

Can't find a cover for the clams with holes that the cleaner wrasse can't swim through

[Proteus]

Local pet stores have mesh breeder boxes that suction to th glass. If you can move the clams. Put them in there at top of tank

[MarkoD]

i dont think moving them would really work for me. plus i've seen those mesh breeder boxes and they seem to be too small to even fit one of my clams

[fishytime]

The little baskets that strawberries come in work great for caging off things

[MarkoD]

Originally Posted by fishytime

The little baskets that strawberries come in work great for caging off things

But the holes are big enough for a cleaner wrasse, right?

That's the only fish I've ever seem picking at a clam