Gaping clam

christyf5 · #1 01-31-2006, 03:22 AM

I have like zippola experience with this. The mantle is still fully extended, exhalant siphon is doing its thing. The clam is still reactive to changes in light (ie. my hand passing over it) it does sort of close the tissue around the siphon when fish pass by but then opens it again. I have had clams before but I don't remember them showing off their innards at any point like this one. Maybe this one just doesn't have any inhibitions

I just bought the clam on Saturday, I was just wondering if its still acclimating to my tank or if this is a sign of something more serious.

Any advice would be appreciated

Ruth · #2 01-31-2006, 03:43 AM

I don't know Christy - I have 6 clams and have never had one gap that bad. In that picture the mantle does not appear to be fully extended but that could be just the picture or it was retracting for some reason. You might try and move it to another location that is getting lots of light and very low flow and see if that helps. OTOH maybe it's just proud of it's stuff and wants to show off. Beautiful colours BTW.

AndyL · #3 01-31-2006, 03:49 AM

wow... gorgeous clam christy!

I'm useless on clam knowledge though (I can tell you they don't like temps >35C though)!

Andy

michika · #4 01-31-2006, 04:39 AM

Some clams naturally have large gaps. I've had a clam before that had a huge gap, very similar to your picture. A large gap didn't seem to indicate anything negative when my clam also gapped.

For additional reading I would suggest clamsdirect.com, that board might be a bit better suited to answering your question.

Good Luck!

Willow · #5 01-31-2006, 05:41 AM

nice clam

hockey nut · #6 01-31-2006, 07:35 AM

HI Christy,

Some maxima/crocea tend to have a bigger opening IMO. I just bought a clam today and noticed some of them in the storre where gaping as well. They all looked fine and have been in the store tank for awhile with little change, but defenately keep an eye on it.

Cheers.

Stab_Master_Arson · #7 01-31-2006, 01:38 PM

Your gaping clam should learn some restraint. I don't know much about clams other then they're tastey. It does look rather neat though.I Hope if there is something wrong it will work itself out.

Cheers.

S-B · #8 01-31-2006, 02:32 PM

my clam did that for the first week or two .closed some after that and has been fine since , that was 8 month ago . could be stress from the move .
also ,if your clams not happy where it's sitting , it will move on it's own to a better spot .

muck · #9 01-31-2006, 02:34 PM

Wow Christy your clam looks great!

Very nice coloration!!

Scavenger · #10 01-31-2006, 03:45 PM

That clam looks great!

Clams are like spark plugs. They all run best at a differant gap.